


COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 











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[See page 2 

DICKEY RUBBED THE END OF HIS NOSE IN A REFLECTIVE WAY 



“WANTED” 


AND 


OTHER STORIES 


BY 

JAMES OTIS KftJLw 

AUTHOR OF ** 

‘toby TYLER” “mr. STUBBS’S BROTHER” 

“old ben” BTC. 


ILLUSTRATED 



NEW YORK AND LONDON 
HARPER G* BROTHERS PUBLISHERS 
M C M X I I 



COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY HARPER & BROTHERS 


PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
PUBLISHED OCTOBER. 1912 


f 



I M 


f / 

gCI.A320743 

/ 


CONTENTS 


I 

“ WANTED ” 

or 

The Victim of an Advertisement 


II 

A GREAT SPECULATION 

Which Led to a Dissolution of Partnershiy 


III 

TOM’S TROUBLES 

And the Effect of a Sea Voyage 



ILLUSTRATIONS 


DICKEY RUBBED THE END OP HIS NOSE IN A RE- 
FLECTIVE WAY Frontispiece 

THE CLUMSY-BOWED BOAT WAS FLOATING JUST 

BENEATH THE CABIN WINDOW .... Facing p. 32 
THE BOYS HAD NO TROUBLE IN MAKING HIM 

READY FOR THE JOURNEY HOME .... “ 62 

‘‘why, you’re tom GIBSON !” “ 136 




“WANTED” 



“WANTED” 


I 





pi, Dickey! Dickey Jones! Come 
^here quick.” 

It was a very small boy in a coat 
I so large that be looked like a visit- 
ing-card in a government envelop who was 
thus earnestly demanding a comrade’s atten- 
tion. His shrill voice could be heard distinctly 
above the roar and clatter of the vehicles, as 
he stood in front of a newspaper-office on Park 
Row, gazing alternately at a printed page and 
at a friend who was engaged in trying to cross 
the crowded street as rapidly as the summons 
seemed to require. 

It was indeed a difficult undertaking that 
Master Jones was engaged in, with the horses, 
carts, and drivers all posing as his enemies ; but 
he issued from it, after several narrow escapes, 
with no other injury than that done to his 
1 



“WANTED” 


temper, and this mark of the fray could plainly 
be seen on his face as he said, impatiently, when 
he stood before his friend : What’s the matter 
now, Sam Tucker ? I haven’t sold more’n half 
my papers yet, an’ I’ll get stuck on some of ’em 
if I keep runnin’ every time you holler.” 

Sam paid no attention to his friend’s ill- 
natured remark. Holding in front of him the 
paper he had been reading, he cried excitedly, 
as he pointed to an advertisement which he had 
found in the paper, “ Spell that out.” 

Dickey rubbed the end of his nose in a re- 
flective way, as if trying to decide whether he 
could afford to spend the time necessary for 
the labor involved in such a task, when Sam 
repeated the demand yet more impatiently and 
peremptorily. 

With a sigh Master Jones took the paper, 
and after no slight amount of hard work in the 
way of puzzling over some of the longer words, 
while the perspiration ran down his face, he 
read the following: 

Infoematioit wattted regarding a boy 
bearing the name of Isaac Dunham, who is 
supposed to be living in this city. He is about 
eleven years old, with light hair and blue eyes, 
2 


“WANTED'* 


and may call himself Watts. A liberal reward 
will be paid for any particulars, however slight, 
regarding him. 

Address Moore & Hardy, Attorneys at 
Law, Dooner Buildings, Broadway.” 

Well, what d’ye think of it ?” Sam asked, 
as his friend completed the task and looked at 
him with an air of relief. 

I suppose it’s all right.” 

Can’t you see who it is they’re after ?” 

It says Isaac — Why, do you suppose that 
means our Ikey?” 

Of course it does. Ain’t his name Dun- 
ham, an’ didn’t he live with old Granny Watts ?” 

But why do they want him ?” 

That’s jest what I hollered to you for,” 
Sam replied, excitedly. Don’t you see he’s 
been doin’ somethin’, an’ they’re tryin’ to catch 
him ? I tell you, Ikey Dunham is in a pretty 
bad scrape when folks are willing to pay money 
jest for finding him.” 

You — you don’t suppose he’s been tryin’ 
to kill somebody, do you ?” Dickey asked, while 
every feature of his face showed extreme agita- 
tion. 

It’s something pretty bad, an’ if we don’t 
3 


“WANTED” 


want to see him locked up in jail we must look 
out for him.” 

^^But what can we do?” And if Dickey’s 
face had not been quite so dirty one could have 
seen that he had suddenly grown pale. 

That’s what I don’t know. We’ve got to 
meet him first, an’ then we can think up some- 
thing. Ikey’s a good fellow, an’ he’s helped 
both of us out when we got in a hole, so we’ll 
have to turn about now. Let’s find Tim Saw- 
yer, so’s we can get him to sell our papers.” 

It was not a difficult matter to meet Mr. 
Timothy Sawyer, news merchant. Owing to 
the fact of his having but one leg, he was not 
much inclined to roam, and his business ac- 
quaintances were quite certain of seeing him at 
the corner of Beekman Street at any time dur- 
ing the day. Messrs. Jones and Tucker found 
him at the old stand,” as usual, and soon made 
a bargain with him whereby their stock in trade 
was to be disposed of if possible. 

After this had been done there was nothing 
to prevent the friends of the unfortunate Ikey 
from setting out in search of him, which they 
did at once, faltering not in the quest until 
they found him at the corner of Church and 
Chambers streets, where he had been having an 
4 


“WANTED" 


unusually flourishing trade in the boot-blacking 
business. 

Hello, fellows 1” he cried, in a voice that 
had no sound of fear in it, as might have been 
supposed would be the case when his friends ap- 
peared in view. Have you knocked off work 
as soon as this 

Neither Sam nor Dickey had any reply to 
make to their friend’s cheery greeting. That 
he could smile after having committed a crime 
surprised them, and yet Ikey did not look like 
a particularly wicked lad. He was not so large 
as boys of his age usually are, and his golden 
hair, although it had had no recent acquaintance 
with a comb, gave an expression of innocence to 
his features. That he was cleanly inclined 
could have been told by his face, which actu- 
ally shone from a vigorous application of soap 
and water. In his blue eyes there was no look 
of guilt, and had the cleverest detective been 
searching for a murderer he would have passed 
Ikey by with never a thought of apprehending 
him. 

What’s the matter ?” he asked, in a tone of 
mingled surprise and alarm as his friends stood 
gazing at him in silent sorrow. 

Come round the corner a minute,” Sam 
5 


“WANTED'^ 


said, as he led the party toward a convenient 
hallway. Slinging his box over his shoulder, 
Ikey followed, wondering what could have 
happened to give his friends such a strong re- 
semblance to story-book conspirators. 

Have you seen the morning papers 
Dickey asked, before they had really come to 
a halt within the shadow of the passage. 

Ho; is there any big news?” 

Of course not,” Sam replied, sternly. The 
police have got a notice out about wantin’ to 
find you.” 

The police — wantin’ to find me — what 
for ?” And Ikey looked thoroughly bewildered. 

In the fewest possible words Sam told of 
what he had seen in the newspaper, concluding 
by asking in such a tone as a deceived friend 
would naturally use, “ How what have you bin 
a-doin’, Ikey? Me an’ Dickey will help you 
out o’ the scrape; but we want to know jest 
what’s up.” 

Master Dunham could make no reply. Al- 
though positive he had not wittingly done any- 
thing against the law, it seemed as if he must 
unconsciously have committed some crime, 
otherwise why should a reward be offered 
for information concerning him? He was at 
6 


“WANTED” 


once plunged into such a state of alarm that 
speech was impossible. 

YouVe got to leave this town or they’ll 
nab you before night,” Sam added, sternly, 
winking at Dickey as if to say the signs of guilt 
were written so plainly on Master Dunham’s 
face that there was no longer any chance he 
could be innocent, and the supposed culprit did 
not attempt to make a denial. 

What shall I do ?” he asked, in a trembling 
voice. Why do they want to catch me ?” 

That last part of it is jest what we don’t 
know ” ; and Sam spoke in a tone of mingled 
reproof and reproach. Me and Dickey are 
chums of yours, so we’re bound to help you 
out o’ the scrape. Do you know of a place to 
hide till we get things fixed to carry you away ?” 

1 might sneak down on the Battery where 
all them stones an’ timbers are,” Ikey replied, 
in a voice choked with sobs. 

Then go there quick an’ don’t so much ^s 
show the end of your nose till we come. I’ll 
take the box, for you wouldn’t want that even 
if they carried you off to jail, an’ when it’s dark 
we’ll come to help you get clear.” 

If the proverb that innocence and bravery 
go hand in hand be true, then Ikey was a guilty 

2 7 


“WANTED 


boy beyond a doubt, for no sooner bad Sam 
spoken than be started at full speed toward tbe 
proposed biding-place, dropping bis box by 
Dickey^s side as if time was too precious to 
admit of bis delivering it in a proper manner. 

For two or three minutes after be bad dis- 
appeared amid tbe tbrong of men, borses, car- 
riages, and carts bis two friends stood looking 
sadly at each other. They may possibly have 
hoped be could prove his innocence of wrong- 
doing by at least stoutly insisting that there 
was no reason why be should run away; but, 
on tbe contrary, be had embraced tbe first op- 
portunity to fiee, giving tbe most palpable evi- 
dences of fear, and there was no longer a doubt 
in their minds but that be was guilty of some 
grave crime. 

Let’s go back an’ see what Tim thinks of 
it,” Sam said, after a painful silence. If 
we’ve got to keep him bid some of tbe other 
fellows will have to help us, an’ tbe sooner we 
tell ’em the better.” 

Under tbe strictest pledges of secrecy tbe 
boys told their most intimate friends of tbe 
culprit’s flight; and while there were many 
ready to blame there was not one unwilling to 
do all in bis power to aid tbe unhappy boy in 
8 


“WANTED’^ 


making his escape from the minions of the law. 
As a matter of course, there were many specu- 
lations as to what crime he had committed, but 
there was only one opinion as to what should be 
done. 

Ikey was to be kept in hiding until the vigi- 
lance of the officers should be relaxed — that all 
were agreed upon ; but to decide upon the loca- 
tion of his exile was not so simple. Tim Saw- 
yer thought it best to send him to Canada by 
the next train, but as he could not suggest how 
the fare was to be paid Ikey’s guardians gave 
little heed to the proposition. Billy Davis 
believed the fugitive ought to be provided 
with several bowie-knives and revolvers, in or- 
der that he might make his way to the Far 
West, where he could pass his time agreeably 
killing Indians ; but this idea was not even en- 
tertained by the others, for it was well known 
that the supposed criminal was so little dis- 
posed toward bloodthirstiness that he would 
not even aid in tying a tin can to a dog’s tail 
when he had the opportunity, and Sam said, 
decidedly, after each one had made some weak 
or wild suggestion : 

I don’t b’lieve he’d be willing to go very 
far away, ’cause, you see, he’s an awful lone- 
9 


“WANTED" 


some fellow when he^s by himself. I know 
where there’s an old canal-boat np in the Erie 
Basin, an’ if we take him there he can stay for 
a year without anybody’s knowin’ anything 
about it.” 

^^Tt can be done easy enough,” Tim cried, 
enthusiastically. I’ll borrow a big bag from 
Skillins, the junk-dealer, an’ if it’s pulled down 
over his head a perliceman would be mighty 
smart to guess who he was.” 

That ’ll be jest the thing,” Sam said, ap- 
provingly. ‘^You git it an’ all hands of us 
will lug him over. I know where we can hire 
a boat.” 

Every one of the supposed criminal’s busi- 
ness acquaintances was not only willing, but 
eager, to aid him in escaping from the strong 
arm of the law, and in an hour from the time 
Ikey’s crime had become known the entire party 
were near the Barge Office, ready to carry him 
to some place of concealment. 

The officer on duty at the Battery on this par- 
ticular afternoon may have been, and probably 
was, very much surprised at seeing so many 
boys loitering aroimd with newspapers under 
their arms, or boot-blacking outfits over their 
shoulders, when they should have been at busi- 
10 


“WANTED” 


ness; but even if the policeman’s suspicions 
were aroused, he could see nothing to warrant 
him in making an arrest. 

Believing that every officer in the city was 
watching for the culprit, the boys were careful 
not to call him from his hiding-place while 
there was a blue coat or a brass button to be seen 
in either direction, and this satisfactory condi- 
tion of affairs was not brought about until some 
time after nightfall. 

When three of the party had been stationed 
at as many different points from which the 
return of the policeman might be observed and 
signaled, the others approached a loosely piled 
quantity of timbers, in the midst of which they 
believed that the criminal was hidden. Then 
Sam called in a hoarse whisper : 

“ Ikey ! You can come out now ; but be 
quick about it.” 

In another instant a fluff of yellow hair, sur- 
mounting the most woebegone-looking face im- 
aginable, could be seen rising slowly from the 
very center of the lumber-pile, and Ikey stood 
as nearly revealed to view as was possible in 
the gloom of the night. 

Come on lively,” Sam said, in the same 
cautious tone, and then he added to Billy Davis 
11 


“WANTED” 


and Dickey, Be ready the minute he’s out, 
for it won’t be safe to fool round any.” 

Master Dunham glanced backward over his 
shoulder apprehensively several times, despite 
the assurance of his friends that the coast was 
clear, and when he was fairly out of his hiding- 
place Billy and Dickey rushed upon him as if 
intent on inflicting some bodily harm. 

If there had been any loungers in the vicinity 
they would have heard a faint, smothered squeak 
immediately following the dash forward, and 
then perhaps could have seen a short but sharp 
struggle, which was ended in a few seconds, 
after which Ikey’s friends stood around him 
while he lay upon the ground unable to speak, 
almost unable to breathe, with a thick sack 
fastened securely over the upper portion of his 
body. 

Take him right along,” Sam said, hurried- 
ly. Me an’ Jim Bro^vn will skip on ahead up 
to Pier 10, where the boat is, an’ we’ll have her 
ready by the time you fellers git him there. 
IsTever mind if he fussesj but make him go the 
best he knows how.” 

Then Sam and his friend ran up the street 
at full speed, leaving the others to conduct 
the unwilling fugitive as best they might, and 
12 


“WANTED” 


every member of the party was confident the 
bag was the only and most complete disguise 
needed. 

Dickey and his companions were careful to 
carry out Master Tucker’s instructions to the 
letter in regard to the disposition of the un- 
fortunate Ikey. With one on either side hold- 
ing him firmly by the arm, and another behind 
to prevent him from lagging, he was forced 
along so rapidly that he could hardly have 
spoken even if his head had not been so closely 
enveloped. 

Once a policeman came in sight on the op- 
posite side of the street, and Billy showed him- 
self to be a good tactician by tumbling Ikey 
over near the bulkhead, after which every mem- 
ber of the party seated himself on the pros- 
trate body, thus giving Master Dunham the 
appearance of a bundle of rags, rather than a 
living being. 

The officer passed on, however, without pay- 
ing any attention to the little group on the 
bulkhead, and the journey was resumed with- 
out regard to the fugitive’s comfort or desires. 

Dickey was too much excited to think that 
possibly Ikey might be suffering, and on he ran 
at full speed, dragging the boy with him, paus- 
13 


“WANTED” 


ing not until Pier 'No, 10 was reached, where 
Sam and Jim were already waiting in the boat. 

“ ;N’ow, Ikey,’’ PiUy said, speaking to his 
friend for the first time since they left the Bat- 
tery, weVe got to take the bag off long enough 
for you to shin into the boat; but weJl put it 
on again when you’re aboard. Hurry up, ’cause 
somebody might come before you’re fixed.” 

As Master Davis said this he began to un- 
fasten the rope which was wound many times 
around the supposed criminal’s waist, and when 
finally the coarse covering was removed it was 
possible to understand how much Ikey had suf- 
fered during the short journey. His face, 
flushed to a deep crimson, was covered with 
dust which had been converted by the per- 
spiration into a sort of paste; he was literally 
gasping for breath, and it was several moments 
before he could make any effort to get into the 
boat. 

Hurry up or a policeman will be along an’ 
nab you,” Dickey whispered, excitedly; and 
from the boat Sam cried, in a hoarse tone : 

^‘What are you foolin’ round for? D’yer 
want to be snaked off to jail?” 

I’d rather go there forty times over than 
be put in that bag again,” Ikey said, in as 
14 


ANTED” 


desperate a tone as one can use when the words 
are broken because of excessive panting. I 
don’t know what I’m runnin’ away for; I 
haven’t done anything.” 

Pick him right up an’ throw him down if 
he won’t come any other way,” Sam cried, im- 
patiently. 

By this time Ikey’s friends were more anx- 
ious regarding his safety than he was. Dickey 
and Billy were apparently about to obey Sam’s 
harsh command when, recognizing the folly of 
making a resistance. Master Dunham clambered 
down the wet, slippery timbers into the boat. 

Don’t put me in the bag again,” he said, 
imploringly, as he seated himself in the stem- 
sheets. It’s so hot I can’t stand it.” 

You’ll have to be covered over so’s the 
police on the steamers can’t see your face ” ; 
and Dickey and Billy, regardless of the fugi- 
tive’s struggles, drew the rough bag down over 
his head, thus cutting short all remonstrances. 

You fellers stay there till we come back,” 
Sam called to his friends on the pier ; and then 
he and Jim bent to the oars with a will, send- 
ing the clumsy boat ahead with a great splash- 
ing of water, but at no very remarkable rate 
of speed. 


15 


“WANTED” 


It is a long distance from Pier iJlo. 10 to the 
Erie Basin, and the neighboring clocks had 
struck the hour of nine when the square-bowed 
craft was pulled past the stern of an ancient 
and battered canal-boat. 

This is the place,” Sam said, in the faint- 
est of whispers. Take Ikej out o’ the bag, 
an’ let him shin in the window.” 

The supposed criminal was uncovered once 
more, but yet he made no move toward leaving 
the boat. 

Go on,” Dickey whispered. You mustn’t 
fool round outside here or somebody ’ll see 
you.” 

What am I to do ?” Ikey asked, in a tone 
of despair. 

In the fewest words possible Sam explained 
that he was to remain on the canal-boat until 
his friends could take further steps toward 
providing for his safety, and concluded by say- 
ing, Shin up quick, so’s we can git back.” 

Have I got to stay here all night alone ?” 

Of course you have. It’s better’n a jail, 
anyway.” 

Perhaps Ikey was about to insist that he was 
innocent of any wrong-doing and knew of no 
reason why he should skulk around like a crim- 
16 


“WANTED*' 


inal, but his friends did not allow him even 
this poor consolation. They lifted him from 
the thwart as if he had been simply a package 
of merchandise and literally threw him through 
the window, Sam calling out cautiously as the 
unfortunate boy disappeared in the gloom, 
WeTl be back to-morrow an^ bring you some- 
thin^ to eat.^’ 

Then Master Dunham’s friends pulled swift- 
ly out into the river, as if the entire police 
force of both cities were in hot pursuit, and 
not a word was spoken until an hour later, when 
they rejoined the other members of the party. 


II 

The young gentlemen who claimed to be the 
friends of Ikey Dunham did but little business 
on the day after he had been spirited away. 
Fortunately the trade in news was not remark- 
ably brisk. ITothing unusual had occurred to 
create any very great demand for papers; but 
even if the reverse had been true they would 
have neglected their work in the excitement 
caused by the misfortunes which had nearly 
overtaken the boot-black. 

17 


“WANTED” 


As might be expected, the first duty of all, 
after the morning^s stock had been purchased, 
was to look among the advertisements, where 
they saw a similar notice to that which had 
made Ikey a fugitive. The wording of it was 
substantially the same as the first, but it 
sounded more imperative because of the fact 
that one hundred dollars was offered as a re- 
ward for information of the boy. 

I suppose one of us ought to go over and 
carry him somethin’ to eat,” Sam said, when 
a large number of his brother merchants had 
gathered in front of the Post Office to discuss 
for at least the twentieth time the details of the 
sad affair. It’s ’most ten o’clock, an’ I don’t 
reckon he’s had a bite since he first heard about 
the advertisement.” 

Let’s chip in and send him a whole lot 
of stuff,” Tim Sawyer generously suggested. 

Here’s five cents, and if every fellow ’ll give 
as much Sam can buy enough to last two or 
three days.” 

There was no necessity of making any lengthy 
appeal, for immediately the nickels came from 
out the tattered trousers as freely as if they 
did not represent a considerable portion of the 
day’s profits. 


18 


“WANTED” 


Sam’s the one to carry the stuff over to 
him,” Dickey said, as he contributed his share 
toward the general fund ; an’ he must tell 
Ikey that every one of us will stick by him, no 
matter how long he has to stay away.” 

He needn’t worry while we’ve got a cent,” 
Tim said, as he turned to take up once more 
the cares of business ; an’ if Sam has got 
to run round much we’ll turn to an’ sell his 
papers, ’cause it ain’t fair for him to lose all his 
time.” 

With but one exception this view of the case 
was entertained by the others, and the solitary 
boy who did not appear disposed to give freely 
was Joe Dent, a fellow who had on very many 
occasions profited by his companions’ gen- 
erosity. Joe had contributed five cents, but 
when Tim suggested that Sam might also stand 
in need of assistance he looked far from cheer- 
ful. 

Buy him plenty of good things,” Billy said, 
as he started off in search of customers, ’cause 
he won’t have anything to do but eat, an’ we 
ought to keep him filled up pretty full.” 

Sam proposed that a committee be appointed 
to see how the fund was expended; but as no 
one would listen to a suggestion which implied 
19 


“WANTED" 


a doubt as to his honesty, he set out alone to 
first get the supplies and then carry them to the 
fugitive. 

As soon as he had gone the meeting was ad- 
journed, in order that business might be re- 
sumed, and Joe Dent walked away by himself 
as if he had something more important on hand 
than the mere selling of papers. He seemed 
trying to avoid his late companions as he went 
swiftly toward Center Street, and that this 
really was the case could be seen when he met 
Bart Murray near the Tombs and whispered 
to him : 

Sneak round to Canal Street ; IVe got some- 
thing to tell you.” 

Bart was to all appearances a gentleman of 
leisure. He had at one time been an unsuc- 
cessful merchant in the newspaper line, but the 
work proving too hard, and his parents not un- 
willing to encourage him in idleness, he spent 
his time doing nothing — a condition of affairs 
which was Joe’s idea of happiness. 

To walk over to Canal Street was quite a 
laborious undertaking, according to Master 
Murray’s ideas; but Joe appeared so excited 
that curiosity overpowered indolence, and he 

sneaked ” away, as had been suggested, the 
20 


WANTED’^ 


two meeting a few moments later behind a pile 
of packing-boxes, which lent an appearance of 
privacy to the interview. 

Joe broached the subject by telling of Ikey’s 
hurried flight and the reason which had seemed 
to make such a course imperative, concluding 
by pointing out the advertisement which had 
so much disturbed Dickey. 

Bart freely admitted that it would take him 
too long to spell the printed words and proposed 
that this portion of it be skipped,” but Joe 
insisted on making everything plain; therefore 
he read the lines with great emphasis, asking, 
as he flnished, “ There ! what do you think 
of itr 

It looks like he’d got himself in a hole. 
What has he been doin’ ?” 

That’s just what none of us knows ; but I 
can put my hand on him any minute.” 

Well, what if you can Bart asked, in- 
dolently. 

I^ot much ; only the fellow what blows on 
him will get a hundred whole dollars.” 

Bart was looking decidedly interested now, 
for he began to understand why he had been 
invited to the interview. Are you sure you 
know where he is ?” 


21 


“WANTED” 


Of course I am. Didn’t Sam Tucker tell 
all about it 

Perhaps they’ll lug him off to another 
place,” Bart suggested. 

If they do I’ll know it when Sam comes, 
for he can’t help telling me after I’ve put up 
as much money as anybody else.” 

Bart remained plunged in deepest thought 
for several moments, and then he whispered: 

We’ll wait till you see Sam again. I’ll stay 
on Center Street the rest of the day.” 

Then I’ll go back so’s the other fellows 
won’t think anything’s wrong,” Joe said, as he 
started off at full speed, with apparently not 
the least remorse of conscience because he was 
about to betray a friend. 

Meanwhile Sam was doing what he consid- 
ered his duty toward Ikey in the most pains- 
taking manner. He expended the money as if 
for himself, and was even more careful to see 
that he got good weight or measure than if he 
alone was to be benefited by it. The stores 
consisted of a quart of peanuts, four “ sour 
balls,” five cakes plentifully covered with icing, 
two apples, three pears, one loaf of bread, two 
pounds of Bologna sausages, and a candle. It 
was sufficient to form several feasts for one 
22 


^‘WANTED’* 


boy, and Sam thought he would be perfectly 
willing to become a fugitive from justice, a 
day or two at least, if by so doing he could 
revel amid all the luxuries he was carrying to 
Master Dunham. 

The unfortunate boy who was being hunted 
down was not of the same opinion, however. 

When Sam, after crossing the river on the 
ferry-boat like any other honest citizen, arrived 
at the Basin he approached Ikey’s hiding- 
place as if he expected to see a host of officers 
spring out from some ambush. Birst he made 
a careful survey of all the surroundings; then 
he advanced in such a manner that the most 
casual observer would have mistrusted some- 
thing was wrong; and when within a dozen 
yards of the craft he started at full speed and 
entered the noisome cabin after the fashion of 
a small whirlwind. 

It’s all right, Ikey ; nobody saw me come 
here,” he said, in a hoarse whisper ; and a few 
seconds later Master Dunham appeared from 
his hiding-place under the floor. 

The once prosperous boot-black presented the 
most woeful appearance. His hair was even 
more matted and comb-hungry than usual, there 
were deep circles around his eyes, his face was 
3 23 


“WANTED” 


ghastly pale, and an artist would have been de- 
lighted at having him as a model for a murderer 
stricken with remorse. 

What’s the matter, old man Sam asked, 
surprised at seeing such a change in his usually 
jolly friend. “ Have you been in any fuss 

Hothin’ more’n what you told me about 
yesterday,” Ikey replied, in a tearful tone. 

It’s awful to stay alone, Sam ; an’ what’s 
more, there are any quantity of ghosts all 
around here.” 

“ How you’re foolin’,” Master Tucker said, 
in what he intended should be a most derisive 
tone. 

Do you suppose I could do much foolin’ 
while I have to stay in a place like this with 
folks huntin’ for me?” Ikey asked, impressive- 
ly. I’ve heard terrible noises, an’ there was 
a lot of ghosts here last night, for I saw six or 
seven — they kept cornin’ an’ goin’ till pretty 
near morning. I wouldn’t be here alone after 
dark again, not if I was put into a jail a hun- 
dred times.” 

Sam felt decidedly uneasy at this informa- 
tion, but he attempted to speak lightly in order 
to cheer his friend. 

Of course that’s foolish talk, Ikey, an’ 
24 


“WANTED” 


youTl stay right here, ’cause you don’t want 
to give the police a chance to pull you in.” 

I don’t care what’s done to me, I won’t 
stay,” and Master Dunham spoke so em- 
phatically there could he no doubt of his sin- 
cerity. You come over to-night, an’ if you 
don’t leave before mornin’ I’ll agree to stop a 
year.” 

I’ll come,” Sam replied, promptly. I’ll 
bring Dickey an’ some candles an’ have a high 
old time.” 

Poor Ikey did not look as if he was capable 
of having a very high ” time, but his face 
brightened considerably as he learned that he 
was to have company in his enforced retire- 
ment. 

Here’s some things the boys bought so’s you 
wouldn’t be hungry,” Sam said, as he brought 
out first one package and then another from the 
many pockets and hiding-places in his clothes, 
and while Ikey was examining the different 
articles he turned to leave the cabin. 

Where are you goin’ ?” the fugitive asked, 
quickly, seizing his friend by the arm. 

I’ve got to get hack so’s to fix it with 
Dickey.” 

How long will you be away ?” 

25 


“WANTED’* 


I’ll come just as soon as I find him. It 
won’t be more’n two or three hours.” 

Then Sam literally tore himself from Ikey’s 
detaining grasp, and when he arrived in ITew 
York the first acquaintance he met was Joe 
Dent, who appeared very inquisitive regarding 
the whereabouts and condition of the exile. 

Sam gave the fullest information, told of 
the fugitive’s fears, of his desire for companion- 
ship, and, in fact, everything he could think 
of that might be interesting. 

Acting a treacherous part himself, Joe was 
suspicious that Sam was not telling him the 
truth, and he said, in what he intended should 
be a careless tone, I haven’t got anything to 
do till mornin’, so suppose I go with you ?” 

I don’t believe it would be safe,” Sam re- 
plied, hesitatingly. If there was too many 
we might make a noise, an’ then the jig would 
he up for sure. Me an’ Dickey will go to-night 
an’ then you and Billy can stay with him to- 
morrow.” 

Such an arrangement did not please Master 
Dent, and he insisted very strongly on being 
allowed to aid in cheering the unfortunate boot- 
black; hut Sam was determined that no un- 
necessary risks should be run, therefore he 
26 


“WANTED’' 


turned a deaf ear to every argument and en- 
treaty. 

You an^ 33illy can go to-morrow,” was all 
he would say; and Joe, doubting whether he 
really knew where Ikey was concealed, left his 
busy friend in order to take counsel with Mr. 
Bartholomew Murray. 

With never a thought that this sudden desire 
to aid the fugitive covered any treachery, Sam 
began to make his arrangements for spending 
the night on the canal-boat. It was not dif- 
ficult to find Dickey, and the question of paying 
the fugitive a social visit was speedily settled. 

Sam thought it necessary, for the benefit of 
inquiring friends, to explain to Tim the cause 
of his absence, and then, after buying three 
candles and five cents’ worth of stale candy, he 
was ready to return to the boy who he believed 
was being so ruthlessly hunted down. 

You ain’t goin’ across the ferry ?” Dickey 
asked. 

''Why not?” 

" The detectives that are huntin’ for Ikey 
would be sure to suspect something if they saw 
you goin’ on the ferry-boat so often.” 

Sam did not stop to question how a detective 
would fancy there was any connection between 
27 


“WANTED” 


him and the fugitive ; the idea seemed so prob- 
able that he nearly turned pale as he thought 
perhaps he had already betrayed the secret of 
his friend’s hiding-place; and, halting sudden- 
ly, he asked, helplessly: 

What can we do 

Borrow the same boat we had last night, an’ 
then we can come back before daylight, when 
nobody ’ll see us.” 

The suggestion was a good one, in Sam’s 
opinion, and arrangements were made for this 
private conveyance. 

The clumsy-bowed clipper was not in great 
demand even by her owner, because of the labor 
necessary to force her through the water, and 
they had no difficulty in negotiating for her 
use until the following morning. 

It is not to be supposed that boys so pro- 
fessedly skilful in eluding detectives would set 
out boldly for their destination. They pre- 
ferred first to row down toward Staten Island, 
and then skulk up the Long Island shore until 
they arrived at the Basin after three hours of 
fatiguing labor. 

A policeman would have to be extra sharp 
if he followed us this time,” Dickey whispered, 
with a chuckle of triumph, as the bow of the 
28 


“WANTED” 


unwieldy craft was run between Ikey’s hiding- 
place and the bulkhead. 

His words must have been overheard by the 
fugitive, for his haggard-looking face immedi- 
ately appeared at the stern window, and from 
the expression of it one could understand how 
sadly he was in need of companionship. 

Go back !’’ Sam whispered, hoarsely. If 
you knowed what a time weVe had gettin’ here 
you wouldn^t so much as poke your nose out- 
side.” 

The face disappeared as suddenly as if its 
owner had been upset by some one in the rear, 
and after the two boys had satisfied themselves 
that there was no spy in the vicinity they 
clambered noiselessly through the wide open- 
ing into the gloomy place which Ikey would 
persist in calling a prison. 

The victim of an advertisement was standing 
expectantly in the middle of the room, looking 
as if afraid his friends might excuse them- 
selves from remaining all night; but he was 
restored to something like his usual cheer- 
fulness when Dickey said, as he laid his 
package of candles and candy carefully in one 
corner : 

There, old man ; we’re here for a reg’lar 
29 


“WANTED” 


out-an^-out good time, an’ we’ll have it if we 
eat all the stuff Sam brought this mornin’.” 

You won’t think much about that after it 
gets dark,” Ikey said, as he glanced over his 
shoulder. “ This is an awful place, fellows ; 
an’ if you hadn’t come I wouldn’t ’a’ stayed an- 
other day.” 

E’ow don’t be foolish,” Sam said, reprov- 
ingly ; but the shade of anxiety which came over 
his face told that he was not perfectly easy in 
mind regarding the mysterious sights which the 
fugitive spoke of in such an awe-stricken tone. 

Ghosts wouldn’t dare to come loafin’ round 
a boat.” 

Wait an’ see,” Master Dunham replied, 
with a mournful shake of the head, and Dickey, 
who was growing decidedly nervous, tried to 
change the subject of conversation by proposing 
that they pitch in an’ have supper.” 

Without thought that the supply would soon 
be exhausted, they lighted all four of the 
candles, and during this brief illumination 
their surroundings were comparatively pleas- 
ant. When, however, the last flame had ex- 
pired, they began to fancy all sorts of horrible 
things, until they were in a very uncomfortable 
frame of mind. 


30 


“WANTED** 


Me an’ Dickey will go for more candles,” 
Sam whispered, after a short but painful si- 
lence. We can’t stay here without some kind 
of a light.” 

Then I’ll go too,” Ikey replied, in a trem- 
bling voice. 

That wouldn’t do at all, ’cause somebody 
might see you.” 

I don’t care. If there were a thousand 
policemen on the w’arf I’d rather let every 
one of ’em carry me off to jail than stay here 
alone.” 

Sam hesitated while a fierce confiict be- 
tween friendship and fear was being waged in 
his mind. Firmly believing that detectives 
were searching for Ikey, capture seemed cer- 
tain if the hunted boy ventured outside the 
shelter of the boat, and yet it was almost im- 
possible to remain in the darkness where the 
fugitive claimed to have seen such terrible 
sights. 

I suppose we might put him in the bag 
ag’in,” he said, half to himself. That would 
be better than stayin’ here without any candles. 
What do you think, Dickey ?” 

Before Master Jones could reply a noise, such 
as might have been made by a number of per- 
31 


“WANTED" 


sons leaping onto the deck, caused the boys to 
retreat to the darkest corner of the cabin. They 
were in that frame of mind when the most com- 
monplace sound seems strange, and neither 
questioned hut that Ikey’s ghosts had come to 
pay their regular nightly visit. 

It commenced the same way before,” the 
trembling exile whispered, faintly. If you 
look through the cracks on the other side of the 
cabin you can see ’em.” 

It was fully fifteen minutes before any one 
ventured to peer in at the supposed supernat- 
ural visitors, and then Sam, determined to 
make one effort to solve the mystery, tiptoed 
his way across the room. 

Had he not been so thoroughly frightened 
he would have been able at least partially to 
understand the meaning of the scene which the 
hold of the canal-boat presented ; hut as it was 
his terror overpowered his common sense. He 
gazed, expecting to see ghosts, and imagination 
colored the picture. 

The forward portion of the boat was dimly 
lighted by a dull glow, which did not appear 
to come either from blazing wood or a lamp, 
and Sam looked in vain to discover the cause. 
Flitting noiselessly to and fro across the faint 
32 



THE CLUMSY-BOWED BOAT WAS FLOATING JUST BENEATH THE 

CABIN WINDOW 





.t *• 






“WANTED" 


rays of light were dark figures, the shape of 
which could not he determined in the gloom, 
while every now and then a clinking sound 
could he heard. 

Master Tucker did not gaze upon the weird 
scene many seconds. He believed something 
worse than death would befall him if the strange 
beings in the hold should discover that he was 
watching them, and his only idea was of im- 
mediate flight. The clumsy-bowed boat was 
floating just beneath the cabin window, and 
without even stopping to acquaint the others 
of his intentions he clambered into it, hardly 
daring to breathe lest he should make a noise. 

There was no possibility that Ikey and 
Dickey would he left behind. The cabin was 
not so dark hut that they could follow the 
movements of their friend, and when his form 
was outlined in the window-frame they darted 
forward, each fearing lest he should he forced 
to bring up the rear. 

Dickey was the last to leave the haunted 
place; hut so active was he that Sam had not 
begun to unfasten the painter before he was 
cowering in the stern-sheets, while Ikey lay at 
full length upon the bottom of the boat. 

Master Tucker was the only one who pre- 

ss 


“WANTED’^ 


served even a semblance of composure, and bis 
heart was thumping so loudly that it seemed 
to him as if a man with but one ear must be 
able to hear it many yards away. 

When the unwieldy craft was set adrift he 
pushed her softly past the ghost-ridden hulk 
and then crouched low in the bow until the 
wind should waft them toward the river, where 
it would be safe to use the oars. 


Ill 

When Sam refused Joe Dent permission to 
go with him to Ikey’s hiding-place, his reason 
simply was that he feared the suspicions of the 
detectives might be aroused if three prominent 
Broadway merchants should be seen loitering 
around the Erie Basin. Joe, however, believed 
he was prevented from going lest he should 
learn that which Master Dunham’s guardians 
intended to keep secret. He was now in doubt 
as to whether any portion of the story told by 
the boys was true, for he judged the others by 
himself, and in his perplexity he sought his 
partner. 

Bart, who never took more exercise than was 
34 


“WANTED’* 


absolutely necessary, remained patiently at tbe 
rendezvous, as if inaction was his greatest pleas- 
ure, and his friend found him without dif- 
ficulty. 

I don’t know what to think of it now,” Joe 
said, after repeating the conversation he had 
had with Sam. It looks a good deal as if the 
fellows had lied all the way through, and I’m 
afraid we stand a poor chance of getting the 
money.” 

Bart thought over the matter in his usual 
leisurely manner, and after fully ten minutes 
of mental labor he said, with an air of superior 
wisdom : I shouldn’t wonder if Sam Tucker 
was tellin’ the square thing, an’ perhaps the 
only reason why he didn’t want you to go with 
him was just what he said. How much money 
have you got ?” 

Joe was surprised at this unexpected ques- 
tion, but he looked up to Bart as his master in 
villainy and began to reckon up his wealth. 

Thirteen cents,” he replied, after counting 
the money several times to be certain he had 
made no mistake. 

That’s enough. Them fellows are goin’ to 
stay with Ikey till mornin’, an’ when it grows 
dark all we’ve got to do is to skip over an’ 
35 


“WANTED’’ 


know whether Sam was Ijin^ or not. If they 
sleep there we’ll be sure to find him at the same 
place in the mornin’, and we can go after our 
money about ten o’clock. You get down-town 
so’s to see what the other fellows have heard, 
an’ I’ll meet you at the ferry after supper.” 

You’ll be sure to go ?” Joe asked, as he 
turned to obey the command given by his 
partner. 

Of course I will,” Bart cried, angrily. 
^^D’ye s’pose I’d put up a job an’ not help 
work it when there’s a hundred dollars to be 
made ?” 

This was more convincing than the most 
solemn oath he could have taken, and Joe 
started down-town at full speed, bent on de- 
livering Ikey into the hands of his enemies in 
order that he might thus treacherously gain a 
few dollars. 

During the remainder of the day he made 
it his business to talk with every boy who had 
contributed to the fugitive’s relief fund; but 
no one knew any more regarding the hiding- 
place than what Sam had told, and Joe went 
toward the ferry thinking perhaps he had been 
too suspicious. 

His partner was waiting for him, and then he 
36 


“WANTED” 


learned why the question regarding the amount 
of his capital had been asked. Bart was per- 
fectly willing to embark in an enterprise which 
promised such rich returns, hut he could not 
bear his share of the expenses and did not hesi- 
tate to make the fact known. 

Joe bought two tickets, and the traitors went 
on board the boat at about the same time Ikey 
and his friends so hurriedly left the place of 
refuge. 

On the previous evening Sam had given the 
most minute description of the craft in which 
the fugitive was concealed; therefore, they had 
no difficulty in finding it after arriving at the 
Basin. 

Both leaped on board and began to call loudly 
for Dickey and Sam, as if anxious to prove by 
the greatest possible amount of noise that their 
visit was purely of a friendly nature. 

“ Go into the cabin,’’ Joe said, as no reply 
was made. Perhaps they don’t dare to come 
out for fear the police may be around.” 

Master Murray descended the shaky stairs 
without thought of danger, still continuing to 
call the names of the fugitive’s guardians, and 
when Joe stood beside him lighted a match. 

The remnants of the feast, the tallow on the 
37 


“WANTED'* 


floor, and bits of wrapping-paper scattered 
around told plainly that Ikey had been con- 
cealed in the noisome place, and Bart said, im- 
patiently, as the match burned so closely to his 
fingers that he was forced to drop it : They’ve 
sneaked off just as I was afraid they would. 
After Sam told you fellows about this place he 
got frightened an’ lugged Ikey away. If I 
had — Hello ! Say, stop that !” 

The last four words were screamed rather 
than spoken, for at that instant Bart was seized 
roughly from behind and dragged up onto the 
deck, while the same unpleasant attention was 
bestowed upon J oe. 

What are you young villains doin’ here ?” 
Bart’s captor asked, as he turned the boy around 
to look at him, and Master Murray saw that 
both he and his partner were held by two very 
disagreeable-looking men. 

We — ^we — we wasn’t doin’ anything,” Joe 
whimpered. We only come over to see some 
fellows what have been livin’ here.” 

Hone of that. Tell me the truth or I’ll 
break every bone in your body,” and the man 
emphasized his words by shaking Joe until it 
seemed to the boy as if the threat was to be 
carried into execution then and there. 

38 


“WANTED” 


That’s just the truth/’ Master Dent cried, 
tearfully. 

Oh, throw ’em overboard,” the second man 
said, impatiently. We can’t fool all night 
with a couple of cubs.” 

Don’t kill us ! Oh, please don’t kill us !” 
Joe cried, in an agony of fear lest they were 
to be ruthlessly cut off in the very bloom of 
their treachery. 

Hand me your stick while I dress this fel- 
low down properly, an’ if they ever come here 
again we’ll drown ’em sure,” the man who was 
holding Joe said to his companion; and then 
began a performance which was extremely pain- 
ful to those who would have earned a hundred 
dollars by betraying a friend. When the ex- 
ercise was concluded the boys were literally 
flimg on shore. 

All this had happened so suddenly and un- 
expectedly that it was some time after the pain- 
ful landing before they made any attempt to 
solve the mystery; and then Joe asked, as he 
rubbed his aching back and arms, Why do 
you suppose them men gave it to us so hot ?” 

I don’t know nothin’ about it,” Bart 
snarled. 

But Ikey had been there,” Joe continued, 

4 30 


“WANTED" 


all unconscious of the anger which was rising 
against him in his companion’s heart. I 
wouldn’t wonder if them brutes had thrown 
all three overboard, like they was goin’ to us at 
the start.” 

“ I hope they did, an’ I wish they’d served 
you the same way.” 

Why — why, what’s the matter ?” Master 
Dent asked, in surprise. Didn’t I get it 
worse’n you, ’cause the man that beat me had 
a stick? You don’t think I knew anything 
about pirates bein’ there, do you ?” 

“ All I know or think is that if it wasn’t 
for you I wouldn’t have been in the scrape, for 
Ikey might ’a’ run away a hundred times with- 
out me bearin’ of it. You’re a duffer, Joe Dent, 
an’ it would be the right thing to give you an- 
other heatin’.” 

“ You’re a nice fellow to come out on a job 
an’ kick when things don’t go jest right,” Joe 
retorted, angrily, and before he could speak 
another word his companion leaped upon 
him. 

Over and over on the ground the two traitors 
rolled, pounding each other to the best of their 
ability, regardless of the fact that both had been 
soundly whipped but a few moments previous, 
40 


“WANTED 


while their late captors stood surveying the 
scene with evident enjoyment. 

It was ten minutes before the partners had 
enough of this kind of sport, and when they 
arose to their feet it would have been difficult 
to decide which had received the most severe 
punishment. 

If you go across the river to-night you’ll 
have to walk, for you won’t touch any of my 
money,” Joe shouted, as he started at his best 
pace in the direction opposite to the one taken 
by his companion, and an instant later he re- 
pented having made the threat. 

Bart had not realized before that he was 
penniless, with a broad expanse of water sepa- 
rating him from home, and on being thus re- 
minded of the unpleasant fact he decided that 
it was absolutely necessary to reduce the al- 
ready well-flogged Joe to subjection. 

After a short hut not very swift race, owing 
to the fact that neither of the boys was feeling 
particularly fresh, the senior member of the 
firm overtook his partner and another struggle 
ensued, with one of the public thoroughfares 
as the battle-field. 

Among the spectators to this last conflict was 
a policeman, and he took an active part in the 
41 


“WANTED” 


affair by marching both the young gentlemen 
to the station-house, thus settling for the time 
being the question of crossing the river. 

During the walk, when they were escorted by 
a crowd of jeering boys and held in the uncom- 
fortably firm grasp of the officer, the culprits 
had plenty of time for reflection; but they 
failed to realize that all the trouble had been 
brought about by themselves. Both appeared 
to think Ikey was the one who should be pun- 
ished for their misdeeds, and on being taken 
before the sergeant at the station-house they 
were eager to tell of the supposed greater 
criminal. 

The officer listened attentively to the story, 
which was told in such a way as to make it 
appear that they had been trying to apprehend 
the criminal only in the interest of justice, not 
from a desire to gain the reward, and when 
it was concluded Messrs. Murray and Dent 
were conducted to a cell, where they were to 
remain until brought before the court, charged 
with disorderly conduct. 

Meanwhile the supposed criminal and his 
friends were doing their utmost to escape from 
the fancied horrors of Ikey^s prison-boat, and 
at the same time screen the fugitive from view 
42 


“WANTED^' 


of those who were probably searching for him. 
To this end they rowed np the river, after the 
wind had carried them so far out of the Basin 
that the oars could be used in safety; but in 
the darkness it was impossible to find such a 
hiding-place as they believed would afford a 
secure retreat until morning. 

It surely seemed as if at least half the in- 
habitants of both cities were on the water that 
evening; the red, green, and yellow lights of 
sailing-vessels and steamers twinkled confused- 
ly in every direction ; the long swell from ferry- 
boats or tugs caused it to appear as if the square- 
bowed clipper was continually ascending a steep 
hill, while the hum of conversation from those 
on the piers gave the fugitive and his friends 
the impression that a very large number of 
people were searching for them. 

We’ll have to try farther down the river,” 
Sam said, as he stopped to wipe the perspiration 
from his face, after they had rowed nearly an 
hour steadily and silently. There must be 
plenty of good places round here to hide in, but 
I don’t dare to run too near the shore.” 

Ikey made no protest. The fear caused by 
the advertisement and the terrors of the canal- 
boat had deprived him of the power to reason 
43 


“WANTED” 


intelligently, and his only idea was to get as 
far as possible from those who might be in pur- 
suit of him. 

In about two hours after their hurried de- 
parture from the Basin the clumsy craft had 
made the useless trip up the river, and was 
nearly opposite the Pavonia Ferry slip on her 
return, when a light boat, in which were two 
men, shot out past the shadow of the pier as 
if in pursuit. 

There’s some of the policemen now,” 
Dickey said, in a low, frightened tone, which 
must have been heard by the occupants of the 
other craft, for one of them cried, peremptori- 
ly, “ Stop rowing while we come alongside !” 

What ’ll we do ?” Dickey whispered, in a 
voice trembling with fear. 

« We’ve got to do what they say,” Sam re- 
plied, despondently, for they could row all 
around us in two minutes.” 

Ikey was silent. Crouching in the stern- 
sheets, with his eyes fixed upon the rapidly ap- 
proaching boat, he neither moved nor spoke, 
but waited in an attitude of utter despair for — 
he knew not what. 

As Dickey had fancied, the pursuers were 
policemen^ and one of them asked, as he seized 
44 


“WANTED” 


the gunwale of the square-bowed craft, Which 
of you is Isaac Dunham 

I — I — I am,’’ came in faltering tones from 
the figure in the stern. 

The sergeant wants to see you.” 

Ikey was very certain this was the usual 
manner of making an arrest, and he suffered 
himself to be half pulled, half assisted from 
one boat to the other, speaking no word until 
the officers had begun to row toward the shore, 
when he cried, in a voice nearly choked by 
sobs : Dood-by, fellows ! Good-by !” 

And from over the black rolling waters came 
the tearful reply : Good-by, old man ! We’re 
awful sorry for you !” 

When the police court was opened on the 
following morning, among the first to enter was 
a large delegation of Hew York newsboys and 
boot-blacks who had suspended business, for 
that day at least, in order to learn what terrible 
crime Ikey Dunham had committed. 

The surprise of these merchants was great 
when they saw Bart Murray and Joe Dent in 
the dock and heard them sentenced to pay a 
fine of five dollars each for disorderly conduct, 
but they were completely mystified by the ab- 
sence of Ikey. He had not been brought into 
45 


“WANTED’' 


the building, and neither had the clerk nor 
the judge spoken his name, and the boys re- 
turned to New York in a state of perfect be- 
wilderment. 

Business among Ikey’s acquaintances was at 
a standstill during the afternoon ; each felt that 
it was impossible to do anything save discuss 
the strange disappearance of the supposed crim- 
inal, and many were the wild ideas advanced as 
all tried to solve the mystery. THe policemen 
stationed near or around the Post Office were 
forced to clear the sidewalk several times of 
these newsboys who had grown so excited they 
gave no heed to the fact that they were causing 
a great deal of annoyance to pedestrians, and 
perhaps some of the party might have been ar- 
rested if Sam had not wisely suggested that 
they go over to City Hall Park, where they’d 
have plenty of room to talk/’ 

The meeting had but just adjourned to this 
locality so much more favorable to freedom of 
speech, and some of the party were yet cross- 
ing the narrow street directly in the rear of the 
Post Office, when Dickey Jones screamed in his 
shrillest tone, as he pointed with a very dirty 
finger to a small boy who was on the opposite 
side of Park Row : Will you look there ! It’s 
46 


“WANTED^’ 


Ikey Dunham ; but what has he been a-doin’ to 
himself V’ 

Then the boys were treated to a surprise even 
greater than that caused by the sudden disap- 
pearance of their friend and associate. 

Ikey was coming toward them as fast as the 
throng of vehicles would permit, but so changed 
in appearance! He had on a suit of new 
clothes, a new hat, new shoes, and something 
which looked very like a watch-chain glittered 
on his vest. 

In silent amazement the boys watched him 
as he approached, and it was not until he had 
begun to tell a very wonderful story that any 
of them recovered sufficiently to be able to 
speak. 

When he had been taken from the boat he 
was allowed to spend the night at the station- 
house in a very comfortable room, instead of 
a cell, as he had expected, and early in the 
morning was escorted to the office of Messrs. 
Moore and Hardy, the attorneys who had 
caused the advertisement to be inserted. There, 
after considerable difficulty, he had been made 
to understand that he was not wanted because 
of any offense against the law, but to meet his 
father^s brother, an uncle of whom he had never 
47 


“WANTED” 


heard and who had just returned from the Far 
West after an absence of many years. 

Less than an hour later Ikey met his uncle, 
who was, as he expressed it, a swell old man, 
with white hair an’ lots of money.” An im- 
mediate change was made in Master Dunham’s 
costume ; he was presented with a “ real silver ” 
watch and chain and then allowed to go in 
search of his friends, that he might tell them 
of his good-fortune, as well as to say adieu, for 
he was to go West with his new-found relative 
on the following day. 

I’ve brought a two-dollar bill for every fel- 
low,” Ikey said, as he concluded his story and 
produced a number of crisp bank-notes. Un- 
cle William said you should each have one, an’ 
if there ain’t enough here to go around he’ll 
send more.” 

If the movements and conversation of that 
party during the following three hours could 
be accurately described and recorded it would 
be very interesting, as the reader may readily 
imagine. They inspected Ikey’s new clothes 
critically, very many tried on his coat to see how 
they looked in such a garment, and every one 
examined the timepiece with the air of a pro- 
fessional watchmaker. 

48 


“WANTED'’ 


Ikey promised to write often from his new 
home, and in case he saw a good opportunity 
for an enterprising boot-black or newsboy to 
get rich suddenly, was to telegraph his friends 
at the earliest moment, regardless of expense. 

Before Master Dunham felt obliged to re- 
turn to the hotel where his uncle awaited him 
the mystery of the canal-boat was explained. 
The evening papers contained long accounts of 
the arrest of five men who had been making 
counterfeit money on an old hulk lying in the 
Erie Basin, and the boys at once understood 
that the supposed ghosts were counterfeiters 
who had done their unlawful work in the night 
on the same craft which had served Ikey as a 
hiding-place. 

Why Bart Murray and Joe Dent went to the 
Basin on that particular night none of the boys 
ever knew, for those young gentlemen were 
careful not to tell any one that they had be- 
trayed Ikey to the officers. While trying to do 
him an injury they had been the remote cause 
of freeing him from all his trouble, much to 
their own disappointment and confusion. 

Did Ikey go West with his uncle ? Certain- 
ly he did, and on the very next day. Every 
one of his friends was at the depot to bid him 
49 


“WANTED*' 


good-by, and in a few days more they will be 
at the same place again to welcome him back, 
for he is coming to New York on a visit, hav- 
ing been away nearly two years. 

It is rumored in the business circles of which 
he was once a member that Sam Tucker and 
Dickey Jones are to accompany him when he 
returns to his home, “ Uncle William ” having 
promised to give them employment on his cattle- 
ranch. 


A GREAT SPECULATION 



pOJ^’T you s’pose I know whether a 
I horse is good or not, Ben Tucker?” 
^ and Teddy Marlowe spoke in a tone 
jof mingled sarcasm and severity. 
How should you ? You never owned one,” 
But IVe seen thousands an’ heard Amos 
Grant tell everything about ’em by jest lookin’ 
in their mouths.” 

But you can’t do that.” 

‘^How do you know? Ever since old Jack 
Douglass said he’d sell his I’ve been studyin’ 
this thing up. I walked all around the horse 
last night when he was in front of Mansfield’s 
an’ believe he’s the biggest kind of a bargain.” 

‘‘ But s’posin’ we raise the five dollars, what 
would you do with him ?” 

“ Almost everything. Why couldn’t we run 


“WANTED” 


an express-wagon, or get him fat an’ learn him 
circns tricks? When a fellow can buy a horse 
like that for only five dollars it’s jest the same 
as findin’ money.” 

But if he’s worth so much, what makes old 
Jack sell him? He needs money as bad as 
anybody, an’ I should think he’d want to keep 
him.” 

I s’pose he hasn’t got sense enough to see 
how much could be made if he was put into 
good condition. It ain’t likely he gets a great 
deal to eat, an’ how can you expect a horse to 
show all his points if he’s hungry most of the 
time ?” 

Ben was willing to admit that there was con- 
siderable common sense in this remark and be- 
gan to think it might be a good idea to examine 
the property. 

Yes,” he replied, answering a question 
asked by Teddy during the earlier stages of the 
conversation, I have got a little over two dol- 
lars an’ a half ; but, you see, I was savin’ it for 
the Fourth.” 

J est think how we could celebrate if we had 
a horse !” Teddy exclaimed, as he conjured up 
visions of the future. The older fellers would 
let up into the Fantastics if we owned a team, 
52 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


an’ we’d get up the funniest kind of a rig with 
Miss Washburn’s two-wheeled shay!” 

That’s a fact 1” And' now Ben’s face 
brightened as he began to understand that by 
making this investment in horse-flesh he would 
also be providing for the national holiday in a 
most becoming fashion. 

Teddy had proposed that the two buy the 
aged animal in partnership, each to pay an 
equal sum, and then indulge in such business 
or pleasure as would promise the largest pe- 
cuniary returns. 

S’pose we go out an’ see the horse?” Teddy 
suggested. When folks know old Jack has 
got ready to sell him, I wouldn’t wonder if 
there’d be more’n a hundred tryin’ to make a 
trade.” 

Ben had no very important business on hand 
to prevent him from spending the afternoon 
in such work, and the two started at once for 
Mr. Douglass’s home, about a mile from the 
village. 

The owner of the horse was an old darky, 
who earned a livelihood by sawing wood, put- 
terin’ ’roun’ gardens,” as he expressed it, and 
on certain occasions playing the violin when 
the country boys arranged an economical dance. 

53 


“WANTED 


It was in this last-mentioned manner that 
Uncle Jack was most satisfactory to himself. 

It don’t make er bit er diif’ence, honey, how 
long yon keeps her goin’,” the old fellow would 
say, when the terms of payment for his services 
were being arranged, I’s willin’ ter scrape des 
er long as yon kin foot it.” 

The prospective purchasers of the horse found 
Uncle Jack sitting in the doorway of his two- 
roomed house, with his eyes half closed, fiddling 
lazily, and presenting a perfect picture of con- 
tent. 

I^ot until he had brought the tune to a con- 
clusion satisfactory to himself did the old man 
give any heed to his visitors, and then he said, 
laying the violin carefully on the floor beside 
him: Well, honey, I s’pecks yer hab come fer 
to git de ole man to wuk; hut it earn be done. 
I’s pow’ful busy dis yere afternoon, an’ you’s 
boun’ to ’sense me.” 

What are you working at. Uncle Jack?” 
Teddy asked, looking around for some signs 
of the labor which prevented the old man from 
earning an honest penny. “ I don’t see that 
there’s so very much to be done here.” 

It wasn’t de wuk oh de ban’s, honey, dat 
I was er speakin’ ob, but de head. My ole brain 
54 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


is des whirlin’ roun’ an’ roiin’ wid de strain 
I’s puttin’ on it.” 

What are you trying to do ?” 

I’s figgerin’ out what I’s gwine ter do wid 
dat yere wufSess boss oh mine when de snow 
flies. ’Pears like he warn’ good fer nuffin’ 
’cept to eat, an’ de older he grows de hungrier 
he gits.” 

“ We came out to talk about buying him, 
Uncle Jack,” Teddy said, winking at Ben to 
assure him that the old man was ignorant re- 
garding the true worth of the animal, otherwise 
he would not have talked so disparagingly con- 
cerning him. 

Hah yer, honey ? Well, now, I’s s’prised ; 
I is fer a fac’. Does yer know I valles dat ’ar 
boss at five dollars ?” 

That’s what I heard you say up at Mr. 
Grant’s last night.” 

Well, it am de trufe. Dat’s a mons’rous 
fine boss, chillun, an’ I s’pecks he’s ready to 
do a power oh wuk yet afore he dies.” 

How old is he ?” 

‘^How, honey, I earn rightly say; hut he 
ain’ so very fer along, kase I didn’ own him 
more’n dese ’lev’n years, an’ he warn’ berry ole 
den. Mons’rous fine heas’ ef he had er leetle 

r 55 


“WANTED’* 


bitter more meat on his bones. You see, honey, 
I doesn’ hab de time fer to go moonin’ roun’ 
feedin’ him, an’ de grass is mighty short out 
dis yere way.” 

How long would it take to fat him up if we 
gave him all he wanted to eat?” 

Well, you see, honey, it’s boun’ ter be like 
dis: he wouldn’ pick up berry great de firs’ 
week, kase he’d be so s’prised at gittin’ so much 
dat I reckon it ’d kinder worry de flesh ofien 
him; but when he done foun’ it was er reg’lar 
thing, den he’d pufi right out wid pride.” 

Do you s’pose he’d make a good circus 
boss. Uncle Jack?” 

How, honey, dat’s jes’ where you’se hittin’ 
dat animile right. I’s seen him fall down an’ 
pick hisself up sprier dan any hoss ’roun’ dese 
yere diggin’s. He’s terruble spry for a creeter 
so ole, an’ I ’lows he’d make his mark arter 
he got used to all dem fuss an’ fodders what de 
circus people carries roun’ wid ’em.” 

Will he bite or kick ?” Ben asked, anx- 
iously. 

Bress yer heart, honey, he won’ hardly lif’ 
up his foot when dar’s flies on him. You needn’ 
nebber be ’fraid ob dat ’ar animile hurtin’ yer.” 

At that moment the animile ” in question 
56 


A GREAT SPECULATION 

came from the rear of the house in his search 
for grass, and the most timid could hardly have 
been afraid of him. 

His original color was white; but there was 
now so much mud on him that it would have 
been a difficult matter for a stranger to decide 
as to the true shade of his coat, and his ribs 
stood out so prominently as to suggest the pos- 
sibility of their being braces of some kind, used 
for the purpose of holding the body together. 

He’d look a good deal better if he was 
cleaned up some,” Teddy suggested, as he sur- 
veyed the animal with the air of a connoisseur. 

’Deed he would, honey ; I’s been so pow’ful 
busy dat I don’ hab de time dat a boss like 
him needs. I reckon you des wouldn’ know 
dat creeter. ef he was spruced up like Amos 
Grant keeps his brack pair.” 

What’s the lowest you’ll take for him, cash 
down?” Teddy asked, fearing lest they would 
discuss the animal’s good qualities until some 
less inquisitive person stepped in suddenly and 
deprived them of the opportunity for making 
such a wonderfully good bargain. 

I’s boun’ to stick to five dollars, kase dat’s 
wot I said down to Amos Grant’s ; but it’s des 
like gibbin’ him away, honey, des de same.” 

57 


‘WANTED” 


Teddy beckoned for Ben to follow him 
around the corner of the building, where the 
matter could be discussed privately, and Uncle 
Jack took up his violin, as if music, not trading, 
was the important thing to him. 

“ What do you say V’ Teddy asked, eagerly, 
when he and Ben were comparatively alone. 

Shall we buy him V’ 

Master Tucker hesitated an instant and then 
replied, slowly : 

If you think we can make any money out 
of him I’ll put in my half, but you know we 
can’t afford to keep a horse jest for the fun 
of it.” 

“ I’ll ’tend to that part of the business. 
Leave it to me, an’ when he’s fat the cash will 
roll right in to us. I’ve got my share of the 
money in my pocket ; where’s yours ?” 

At home.” 

Go an’ git it. I’ll hang ’round to make 
sure Uncle Jack don’t back out of the trade 
or let anybody else have him.” 

But see here, Teddy, how are we goin’ to 
keep the horse? I don’t know of any stable 
where they’d let us put him.” 

Go get your money an’ I’ll see to all that. 
Don’t you s’pose I’ve been thinkin’ this thing 
58 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


over ever since the first minute I made up my 
mind to buy him 

Ben would have waited to make further in- 
quiries, but Teddy, eager to be half owner of 
the wonderful animal, hurried him away, that 
the bargain might be concluded without loss of 
time. 

Uncle Jack paid no attention to his visitor, 
who came back to the doorstep with an as- 
sumption of carelessness after Ben started at 
a rapid pace on his homeward journey for the 
money. 

Teddy remained silent, listening to the music, 
until the horrible thought came into his mind 
that perhaps the old darky was already repent- 
ing having offered the valuable steed at such 
a low figure, and he asked, anxiously : I s’pose 
you’ll hold to the bargain till Ben can get back 
with his share of the money? It won’t take 
him more’n ten minutes.” 

I’s boun’ ter gib him to yer at dat figger, 
honey, kase I done ’lowed dat’s what he’d gotter 
fetch ’fore I’d let de ole feller go outen my 
’session ; but it’s pow’ful cheap fer dat kin’ oh 
a hoss. Kin you git de five dollars ?” 

Ben’s gone after his half an’ here’s mine,” 
Teddy replied, taking from his pocket a hand- 
59 


“WANTED” 


ful of coins and extending them to Uncle Jack. 

Count it an’ you’ll find two dollars an’ a 
half in that pile.” 

Uncle Jack allowed the money to he left 
in front of him, hut a long-drawn sigh told 
how deeply he regretted having promised to 
part with the horse for such a paltry con- 
sideration. 

It’s all dar, suah enouf, honey, an’ I’ll des 
keep dese yere pieces twell Ben gits hack, so 
none oh ’em kin runned away.” 

Teddy was satisfied when the old man swept 
the coins from the doorstep into one hand and 
transferred them to his pocket, for now that a 
portion of the purchase-money had been paid 
it was not probable he would attempt to draw 
hack from the agreement. 

So eager was Teddy to have the transaction 
completed that the time passed very slowly, al- 
though Uncle Jack played some of his liveliest 
tunes for the benefit of his intending customer, 
and it seemed as if Ben had been absent at least 
half an hour, when he returned, breathing like 
one who has traveled rapidly hut looking tri- 
umphant. 

Here’s my share,” he said, giving the old 
darky a handful of silver and copper. 

60 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


I’ve paid mine already,” Teddy added, 
springing to his feet, an’ now the horse is 
ours.” 

I reckon he am, honey,” Uncle Jack re- 
plied, after assuring himself the amount was 
correct and putting it in his pocket with an 
air of satisfaction. Yer wants ter treat dat 
creeter well, kase it’s feed what’ keeps him up 
to his wuk, an’ he ain’ been hahin’ any too much 
oh it lately.” 

Have you got a halter so we can lead him 
home?” Teddy asked. 

I has, honey, an’ I’s gwine ter frow it 
inter de harg’in, so’s to show dat yer old Uncle 
Jack knows when he’s tradin’ like a gen’leman. 
I ’lows yer don’ wan’ a harness an’ waggin? 
I’s got a mons’rous fine lot oh stuff what would 
come in handy when yer puts dat creeter on de 
race-track.” 

Of course we’ve got to have such things 
some time, hut we’ve spent all our money now 
an’ will have to wait till we can earn more,” 
Teddy replied, as he took the halter of rope 
and went cautiously toward his newly acquired 
property. 

The horse did not attempt to run away, prob- 
ably because that would have been too much 
61 


“WANTED** 


exertion, and the boys had no trouble in making 
him ready for the journey home. 

I don’ ’low he’s gwine ter play any pranks 
yit er while,” the old darky said, with a chuckle, 
as the purchasers started down the road with 
their bargain in horse-flesh hanging obstinately 
back on the halter ; but look out, chillun, when 
he begin ter feel his oats.” 

Then, with the air of one who is satisfied 
with the world in general, and himself in par- 
ticular, Uncle Jack resumed his leisurely oc- 
cupation with the fiddle. 

The new owners of the white horse pulled 
him along as rapidly as possible until Uncle 
Jack’s cabin was hidden from view by a bend 
in the road, and then both stopped as if by 
mutual consent, although not a word had been 
spoken, to examine their prize. 

He ain’t so awful handsome,” Teddy said, 
reflectively, as he examined each of the horse’s 
feet in turn; but jest wait till he’s in decent 
shape, an’ then I reckon folks’ eyes will stick 
out. We must get him as fat as a seal, an’ I 
believe it would do his mane an’ tail good to 
rub them with sage-tea, such as grandmother 
uses. She says that’s terrible nice for makin’ 
the hair grow.” 


62 


THE BOYS HAD NO TROUBLE IN MAKING HIM READY FOR THE JOURNEY HOME 





A GREAT SPECULATION 


I wish there wasn’t so many hnnches on his 
legs,” Ben added, by way of a reply. 

They don’t ’mount to anything. We can 
keep ’em tied up in a cloth till they’re squeezed 
down smooth. You’ll soon find out that I know 
how to take care of a horse.” 

Where are we goin’ to keep him ?” 

^ That’s what we’ve got to settle on. How 
much d’yer s’pose Amos Grant would charge 
to let him stay there ?” 

But I thought you said you’d figgered out 
the whole thing ?” 

I hadn’t made up my mind where he was 
to live. It took a deal of thinkin’ to fix so’s we 
could buy him.” 

You said you’d ’tended to everything, 
didn’t you?” 

So I will if you give me time enough.” 
And Teddy spoke just a trifle impatiently. 

I’m goin’ to talk with Mr. Grant as soon as 
we get back to the village.” 

This explanation was not entirely satisfactory 
to Ben, for it seemed as if Teddy had made at 
least one false assertion ; hut the horse had been 
purchased and it would he foolish to quarrel 
over what might have been only a slip of the 
tongue. 


“WANTED” 


I wish we hadn’t bought him so soon/’ he 
said, after a short pause. 

And Teddy replied, scornfully : When a 
feller has a chance to make such a trade as 
we have there must be somethin’ wrong with 
him if he gits sorry. Jest wait, Ben Tucker, 
till we begin to make money outer him an’ then 
see how you’ll feel.” 

But it’s goin’ to be a bother to take care 
of him. I’m certain father won’t let me have 
him around our house.” 

“ Don’t fuss about that. I’ll ’tend to this 
whole job. See how he lifts his feet. I tell 
you, Ben, this horse is a stepper, an’ by the 
time we get him into good shape Uncle Jack 
will be sick thinkin’ how cheap he sold him.” 

Ben noted carefully this newly discovered- 
good point in the partnership property, and 
grew more cheerful under his companion’s pre- 
dictions of future prosperity for the firm. 

When they arrived at the outskirts of the 
village, however, it was necessary to refer once 
more to the minor details of the business. 

Are you goin’ to lead him all around town 
while you look for a stable ?” Ben asked. 

Uo ; I don’t want the fellers to know we’ve 
got him till there’s more fat on his sides. I’ll 
64 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


tell you what we’ll do,” Teddy added, as a sud- 
den thought occurred to him. S’pose we put 
him down in my cellar till we get things fixed 
Will your mother let you 
She won’t find out anything about it. You 
take him hack of Miss Doak’s house while I 
unlock the big door that leads into the orchard, 
an’ then we’ll sneak through without a soul’s 
bearin’ us.” 

“ But s’pose somebody comes down an’ sees 
him ?” , 

We won’t leave him there more’n half an 
hour, an’ the folks will all be up-stairs.” 

If Teddy was positive there would he no 
trouble, Ben thought it foolish for him to raise 
any objection, therefore the matter was allowed 
to drop until they arrived within a few yards 
of Master Marlowe’s home. 

Lead him hack of Doak’s barn till I get 
things fixed, an’ then we’ll bring him up 
through the orchard,” Teddy said, as he 
halted a moment. 

I think you’d better ask your mother about 
it first,” Ben suggested, feebly, more to ease his 
own conscience than because he thought it ab- 
solutely necessary. 

What’s the use ? It would only fuss her 
65 


“WANTED 


for nothin’, ’cause he won’t be there long enough 
to have it count.” 

As he ceased speaking Teddy hurried away 
to make preparations for the reception of the 
horse, and Ben led the weary-looking steed to 
the proposed hiding-place. 

Ten minutes later Master Marlowe was in 
his father’s orchard, pulling hoards from the 
fence to make an entrance for the partnership 
property. 

What kept you so long ?” Ben asked, in a 
petulant tone. I thought you was never 
cornin’, an’ Miss Doak has been here more’n a 
dozen times to find out what I was doin’ in her 
yard with a horse.” 

It took me quite a while to get the door 
open, ’cause we don’t use it very often, an’ 
then I had to bring in some wood. It’s all 
right now, though. Mother’s gettin’ ready to 
make some calls, an’ we’ll have our trotter in 
a reg’lar stable before she comes back.” 

After the hoards had been removed it was 
necessary to tear away the upper length of joist 
to which they had been fastened, and, as may 
be supposed, this was not done in a workman- 
like manner. 

It was finally in such' a condition, however, 
66 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


that the ancient steed could pass through, and 
this, in Teddy^s opinion, was the only really 
important portion of the affair. 

The animal seemed willing to go wherever 
his new owners wished and entered the cellar 
without hesitation. 

If horses have reasoning powers, he must 
have wondered not a little at the snug quarters 
in which he found himself, contrasting them 
with the dilapidated barn on Uncle J ack’s half- 
acre farm. 

Potatoes in bins, apples in barrels, and cab- 
bages in one corner must all have been seen 
by him, and perhaps he said to himself that 
he would sample these dainties at the earliest 
possible moment. 

Teddy looked around for something to serve 
as a hitching-post, and the only thing available 
for that purpose was one of the supports to the 

hanging shelf.” 

Thaffs jest the thing,” he said, in a tone 
of satisfaction, for it T1 keep his head up so 
high he can’t get into mischief.” 

It would have been better, judging from sub- 
sequent events, if Teddy had understood mak- 
ing a knot which would not slip. He contented 
himself with fastening the halter after his own 
67 


“WANTED’’ 


careless manner, and then the two went in 
search of more suitable quarters in which to 
stable their rare specimen of horse-flesh. 


II 

Amos Grant, the proprietor of the liverj- 
stahle, refused to listen a single moment to 
Teddy’s proposition that he be allowed to hire 
a stall there for a few days. 

“ I wouldn’t have that rack of bones around 
at any price,” he said, emphatically, so there’s 
no use spending your time here.” 

Mr. Treat, who had three stalls without oc- 
cupants, declared that he had no room ” for 
another horse, and Captain Toby Thompson 
flew into a terrible rage when Teddy politely 
proposed that the Uncle Jack horse he allowed 
to make his home there for a short time. 

I won’t have my barn disgraced in such a 
way,” he cried, in his gruff voice, which at this 
particular time sounded to the hoys very much 
like distant thunder. It has just been painted 
an’ looks pretty decent, hut I feel as though 
I’d be insulting the painter to let that old scare- 
crow walk past the green door.” 

68 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


HeTl look different after weVe fatted him 
up a little/’ Teddy ventured to say. 

It doesn’t make any diff erence how much 
grain you give him, there’ll never be any im- 
provement in that old veteran. Why, Jack 
Douglass has had him ever since I can remem- 
ber, and he was too far along in years to work 
when he bought him. The darky has made a 
good trade if he turned him over to you as a 
gift.” 

We paid him five dollars for the horse,” 
Ben said, with a little sob. 

Then it’s a clear case of fools and their 
money being soon parted. I venture to say 
Teddy’s father will raise a fine storm when he 
sees the new member of the family.” 

I own only half of him,” and now Teddy 
was beginning to think that perhaps they had 
not secured such a wonderfully good bargain, 
after all. 

So much the better for you. I’d feel richer 
if I hadn’t any interest in him whatever,” and 
the fat captain indulged in one of his chuckling 
laughs which sounded unusually aggravating to 
Teddy. 

What ’re we goin’ to do with the old 
beast ?” Ben asked, petulantly, when they were 
69 


“WANTED” 


on the sidewalk once more, beyond sound of 
Captain Toby’s mirth. 

I’m sure I don’t know. Let’s go home an’ 
talk the thing over. There must be some place 
in town where we can get him in.” 

“ It doesn’t look so just now,” Ben replied, 
with a sigh, as he thought of the two hundred 
and fifty pennies he had hoarded so long. 

It was not Teddy’s intention to go into the 
house when he reached his home, but to skin 
round ” through the orchard to the cellar. An 
unkind and malignant fate seemed to be lying 
in wait for the new owners of the horse. When 
they turned down the side street to gain the 
orchard Mrs. Marlowe called to her son. 

I thought you said she was goin’ out ?” Ben 
growled. 

That was what she told me. l^ow how ’re 
we to get the horse away without her seein’ 
him ?” 

That don’t trouble me half so much as to 
know where we’ll take him after we get him 
out er the cellar.” 

I’ve struck it now !” Teddy cried, as a sud- 
den and what seemed like a happy thought oc- 
curred to him. What’s the matter with Miss 
Washburn’s barn ?” 


70 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


pretty nigli tumbled down; that’s all 
the matter I know.” 

I mean what’s to prevent our takin’ the 
horse there ? I’m very sure she’ll let us put 
him into one corner,” and Teddy was his old 
careless self once more. 

We’ll go right up there !” Ben cried. 

^^Wait till we find out what mother wants. 
It won’t be dark for a long while yet, an’ we’ve 
got plenty of time.” 

Mrs. Marlowe wanted her son to assist her 
in the store-room, and Teddy had experience 
enough in such matters to understand that the 
task set him could not be finished, even with 
Ben’s aid, in less than an hour; but he whis- 
pered, cheerfully: 

We’ll hustle round an^ get this Job done 
in no time. Then mother won’t care where I 
am, an’ we’ll soon have the horse fixed in great 
style.” 

‘^What I’m afraid of is that your mother 
’ll go down-stairs, an’ if she finds him there, I 
expect we’ll have an awful row.” 

It ain’t likely she’ll do anything of the 
kind before night, an’ what’s the use of worry- 
in’? Take hold an’ help me, so’s we’ll get 
through quick.” 

6 


71 


“WANTED” 


Mrs. Marlowe evinced no intention of de- 
scending the cellar stairs, and Ben was growing 
more confident that they would be able to take 
their prize away without his visit having been 
known, when suddenly a great crash was heard, 
as if from beneath their feet, followed by a 
sound as of heavy pounding. 

“ Mercy on us ! what can be the matter 
Mrs. Marlowe screamed as she started toward 
the door. 

Teddy and Ben looked at each other in 
speechless dismay. Mr. Marlowe entered the 
house almost at the same moment his wife 
opened the door, and he also had heard the din. 

“ What is going on in here V’ he asked, ex- 
citedly. 

I am sure I don’t know,” his wife replied, 
gasping in terror. It sounded as if the noise 
came from the cellar.” Teddy’s knees literally 
knocked together as his father opened the cellar 
door and descended the stairs. 

We’d better f oiler him,” Ben whispered, 
or he ipay turn the horse loose.” Since he 
must face the music ” sooner or later, Teddy 
realized that no real good could come from 
deferring the evil hour, and with Ben close 
behind he followed his father. 

72 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


l!To lengthy survey of the scene was necessary 
in order to understand the cause of the noise. 
The white horse, straining at his halter in order 
to get at the potatoes, had succeeded in slipping 
the carelessly tied knot, and was feasting on the 
good things to be found on every side. Tiring 
of potatoes, he had attempted to help himself 
to apples, and in order to do this it was neces- 
sary to pass under the hanging-shelf. 

Unfortunately, it was not quite high enough, 
and, intent only on the proposed feast, the old 
fellow had forced it from its fastenings, bring- 
ing down on his back a miscellaneous collection 
of pies, preserves, cold meat, and crullers. 

His mud-stained hide was covered with sweets 
and fragments of pastry, until one would have 
said he had been rolling in the contents of a 
bakery, and hanging around one ear was a 
cruller, which lent a most peculiar appearance 
to the old fellow’s face. 

At first Mr. Marlowe was thoroughly sur- 
prised ; but after one glance at the cellar doors, 
which were secured on the inside, he asked, 
sternly, Teddy, do you know how this horse 
came here 

Yes, sir,” Master Marlowe replied, in a 
faint voice. ^^Ben an’ me bought him from 
73 


“WANTED” 


Uncle Jack Douglass this afternoon with the 
money we’d been savin’ for the Fourth, an’ we 
left him here till we could find a stable for 
him.” 

There was an ominous silence during fully 
a minute, and then Mr. Marlowe said: Take 
him away at once, and when you have found 
some person who will take him off your hands, 
come back, but not before. I shall talk with 
you about this matter later.” 

Teddy shivered as if the temperature had 
suddenly fallen to zero. He knew from past 
experience that his father never forgot to keep 
such appointments, and there was a look of 
sadness on his face as he pulled the aged steed 
away from the apple-barrel, where the old fel- 
low had been indulging in a most unusual feast 
without regard to the serious conversation re- 
garding himself. 

“ We oughter talked with our fathers before 
we spent the money,” Ben said, as he aided in 
pulling the white horse in the direction of Mrs. 
Washburn’s barn. “ It wasn’t right to pitch 
in so steep until we knew what they thought 
about it.” 

How don’t go to sayin’ what we oughter 
done,” Teddv cried, angrily. That isn’t goin’ 
74 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


to do ns any good. WeVe put ourselves into 
a scrape, an’ I’m the worst off ’cause I’ve got 
to see father when I come back. I’ve a good 
mind to turn the old horse adrift an’ let him 
go back to Jack Douglass.” 

I won’t agree to that,” Ben replied, em- 
phatically. There’s two dollars an’ a half of 
my money invested in him an’ I want to get it 
out.” 

I’d be willin’ to lose the whole of mine if 
we hadn’t put him in the cellar.” 

I haven’t got anything to do with that,” 
said Ben. 

I don’t s’pose you care how hot I get it so 
long as you’re out of the scrape.” 

Of course I feel sorry, Teddy ; but you 
can’t expect I’m goin’ to take on so dreadfully, 
unless my father raises a row because I bought 
half the horse.” 

This last remark served to arouse Teddy’s 
wrath, for it seemed to him as if Ben had as- 
sumed a patronizing manner toward him when 
his heart was bowed down with such a weight 
of woe. He succeeded in keeping his temper 
within bounds, however, understanding that it 
would only make bad matters worse if he had 
a quarrel with his partner at this critical time, 


“WANTED 


and the two walked in silence to Mrs. Wash- 
bum’s. 

Fortunately, so far as their plans were con- 
cerned, the old lady was at home, and on open- 
ing the door in response to Ben’s knock was 
confronted by the two hoys and the horse. 

Goodness me ! what are you children doing 
with that animal in this yard? I believe he’s 
standing directly on my marigold-bed.” 

Indeed he ain’t. Miss Washburn,” Teddy 
replied, quickly. Ben an’ I jest bought this 
horse, an’ we’re goin’ to make a trotter out of 
him.” 

He doesn’t appear to be much more than a 
skeleton. Why don’t you give him something 
to eat?” 

He’s had a good deal this afternoon,” 
Teddy replied, woefully, as he thought of the 
inroads the old fellow had made upon the store 
of potatoes and apples. 

I’m glad to hear that, for a merciful man 
is merciful to his beast, and children can’t learn 
too early to treat animals kindly. But why did 
you bring him here ? I don’t set any great favor 
on horses, an’ would rather see a good cow any 
time.’' 

We came to ask if you’d let us use a corner 
76 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


of your barn till we can fix np some kind of a 
stable for him.’’ 

Why, bless your heart, child, the old build- 
ing wouldn’t even shelter him from the wind, 
and the fioor is in a terrible condition.” 

We only want to keep him there a little 
while, an’ anything is better than lettin’ him 
stay outdoors. You wouldn’t like to think if 
it rained to-night that he had to take it, would 
you ?” 

N'o, I don’t suppose I should; but perhaps 
a wetting wouldn’t hurt him as much as if he 
broke through the fioor, and that’s what I ex- 
pect he will do if you try to put him in the 
barn.” 

We can fix it up a little,” Ben suggested. 

Mrs. Washburn looked at the eager faces be- 
fore her, and even the horse appeared to be 
pleading for a shelter. 

I don’t know as I ought to turn you away,” 
she said, musingly ; but it does seem danger- 
ous to have you go into such a ramshackle build- 
ing.” 

We’ll take all the risks,” Teddy added, 
quickly. 

Mrs. Washburn thought the matter over a 
moment longer and finally said : I will let 
77 


“WANTED 


you boys use the stable to-night if you promise 
to sit up with the horse. I couldn^t think of 
him roaming around there alone, and I am not 
willing to have his blood on my head.’’ 

There wouldn’t be anything like that 
happen,” Teddy replied, confidently, for no 
matter how much he might hurt himself the 
blood couldn’t spurt ’way over here.” 

I didn’t mean that literally, my child. 
What I should have said was that I wouldn’t 
run the risk of having what may be a valuable 
animal killed on my premises.” 

But can we use the stable if we sit up with 
him ?” Ben asked, impatiently. 

Yes ; under those conditions I can’t make 
any objections, but I’m afraid you boys will 
catch your deaths in such a damp place.” 

We’ll look out for that part of it,” Ben 
cried, cheerily, as he began to pull the aged 
steed toward the barn. Teddy, go home an’ 
see if your folks are willin’ for you to stay all 
night, an’ I’ll wait here.” 

Don’t you remember what father said ?” 

Of course ; but you’ve got to get through 
with that fuss some time, and it may as well 
be now. I won’t stay here alone, an’ must go 
ask mother about it as soon as you come back.” 

78 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


Teddy felt quite positive he would not have 
spoken to Ben regarding a painful interview 
which must he held sooner or later in such a 
businesslike tone. It was absolutely necessary 
that he see his father, however, and he walked 
slowly away, looking like a fellow who has lost 
every friend. 

The old horse had been half led, half dragged 
to the barn-yard, and there he was well content 
to remain as long as his new owners should 
permit, for the grass grew luxuriantly in that 
vicinity and would serve as a pleasing dessert 
to his feast of potatoes and apples. 

An hour passed, during which Ben whittled, 
performed acrobatic tricks, or speculated upon 
the prospect of earning money with the aid of 
the aged horse. The shadows of night were 
beginning to lengthen when Teddy finally re- 
turned, and his tear-stained face told that the 
interview with his father had been held. 

Did you get it pretty hot Ben asked, with 
the same absence of sympathy Teddy had noted 
an hour previous. 

Don’t you mind how I got it !” was the 
angry reply. It’s over now, an’ I’m up here 
to stay all night.” 

What did he do ?” 

79 


“WANTED” 


Look here, Ben Tucker, I never bothered 
you when things wasn’t all right at your house, 
an’ you’d better let me alone. Go home an’ see 
if you can sleep here. Mother gave me a lunch, 
an’ you must get all you can. It would be 
mighty nice if we could have a lantern.” 

Ben would have insisted on knowing what 
had transpired during Teddy’s absence ; but the 
expression on the latter’s face warned him that 
it might not be exactly safe to evince too much 
curiosity, and he said as he went slowly out 
of the yard : I reckon that horse oughter have 
some water by this time. He hasn’t done any- 
thing hut eat ever since you went home.” 

^^An’ that’s about all he did in the cellar, 
’cordin’ to the looks of things,” Teddy replied, 
grimly. Go on, an’ I’ll see to him.” 

During Ben’s absence Teddy worked in one 
corner of the barn making ready a place where 
the horse might spend the night without danger 
of breaking through the decaying planks. 

By removing hoards from other portions of 
the building, and laying them over the weakest 
portion of the floor, he succeeded in making a 
reasonably secure stall, and by the time this 
had been done Ben returned. 

Apparently he was not in so cheerful a frame 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


of mind as when he left his partner, and Teddy 
was puzzled to understand why this should be, 
since he bought, in addition to a generous lunch- 
eon, the desired lantern. 

IjTow we can fix things in great shape,” 
Master Marlowe said, in a tone of satisfaction, 
as he inspected the food with a view to ascer- 
taining if there would be sufficient for their 
wants until morning. WeTl be snug as bugs 
in a rug, an’ I ain’t sure but I’m glad Miss 
Washburn made us stay here to look out for the 
horse.” 

Have we got to sit up every night watchin’ 
him?” Ben asked, with a sob that at once at- 
tracted Teddy’s attention. 

What’s the matter with you ?” 
nothin’.” 

You act as if you’d been cryin’.” 

Well, s’posen I have ? It’s nothin’ more’n 
what you did a little while ago.” 

Did your folks raise a fuss ?” 

Mother scolded me for spendin’ my money 
without askin’ her, an’ father says I sha’n’t own 
a share in such a horse as this. He seems to 
think it’s a disgrace to have anything to do 
with him.” 

That’s pretty near what my father said, 
81 


“WANTED” 


thougli he was willin’ for me to keep him till 
I could get my money hack.” 

Oh, I can do as much as that ; but I don’t 
know who’d want to buy him.” 

It seems a pity to let such a Horse go for 
only five dollars when we could make so much 
money by trainin’ him,” Teddy said, reflective- 
ly, as he patted the aged steed to prove his 
gentleness. 

“ But folks don’t think he’s worth’ anything.” 

That’s ’cause they haven’t examined him. 
You won’t know that horse when he’s fat. If 
my father or yours would look him all over, 
same’s I did, they’d sing a different tune.” 

I’m ’fraid we can’t get ’em to do anything 
of the kind. But say, we mustn’t stand here 
talkin’ when there’s so mucH to be done. Where 
are we goin’ to stay ?” 

“ ’Side of the horse. There’s a little hay left 
on the mow, an’ I’ll pitch it down while you 
light the lantern.” 

It was a very comfortable bed which Teddy 
made after ten minutes’ work, and by the 
time his labors were concluded the night Had 
shrouded the village in darkness. 

After giving him a plentiful supply of water 
the boys led their prize into the dilapidated 
82 


A GREAT SPECULATION 

stable, and there offered him still more food 
by placing in front of him a quantity of the 
hay. 

That the horse was willing to devour any- 
thing could be seen by the avidity with which 
he ate this last course, although he had done 
nothing but eat since his arrival in the village. 

You can see now that he’s been ’most 
starved,” Teddy said as he hung the lantern 
where it would best illumine that portion of 
the barn they proposed to occupy, and if our 
folks will only let us keep him a couple of 
weeks he’ll look slick as grease.” 

We shall have to hold onto him if we can’t 
find anybody who wants to buy a horse.” 

An’ we won’t try very hard,” Teddy re- 
plied, with an expressive wink. 

The stable-doors were carefully closed and 
locked, despite the fact that there were so many 
boards missing from the sides of the building 
that an intnider could have entered at almost 
any point, and then the boys settled down for 
the night by eating supper. 

The supply of provisions was more than suf- 
ficient for all their wants, and when it became 
necessary to conclude the meal, because both 

were filled to repletion, Teddy said; 

83 


“WANTED” 


We must try not to get sleepy, an^ I s’pose 
the best way is to keep talkin’ all the time.” 

‘‘ Have we got to stay awake till mornin’ 

“ If we didn’t, what would be the sense of 
stoppin’ here ? I s’pose Miss Washburn expects 
us to keep our eyes on him every minute.” 

It ’ll come pretty tough before daylight,” 
Ben said, with a sigh, and then both boys re- 
lapsed into silence as they began to realize that 
there were trials and hardships which must 
come even to the owners of a valuable horse. 


Ill 

It was quite natural the boys should be 
gloomy during the first half-hour of their vigil. 
Each had unpleasant recollections of the inter- 
view so lately held with his father, and in addi- 
tion to this cause for a depression of spirits was 
the sense of responsibility such as one might 
well fancy would come to the owners of a valu- 
able animal under similar circumstances. 

As the time wore on, however, the surround- 
ings appeared to grow more cheerful. 

The noise made by the horse as he munched 
his hay sounded almost homelike, and the rays 
84 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


of light cast by the lantern seemed friendly. 
Save for the apertures in the building, the boys 
would have enjoyed this camping out ” ; but 
there were so many boards missing that even 
though the doors were securely locked they 
could not feel safe against intrusion. 

If we have to set up with him many nights 
it will he a good idea to fix this barn,” Teddy 
said, thoughtfully, as he pulled the hay closer 
around him to serve as a barricade against the 
wind which came in freely on the back of his 
head. 

It couldn’t be done. More’n half the boards 
are gone, an’ where ’d we find lumber enough 
to close up even one side of the place ?” 

Something’s got to be arranged, for it won’t 
do to have the horse stand here in a rain-storm. 
The water would come in on him an’ most likely 
he’d get cold.” 

But we don’t count on keepin’ him here all 
the time.” 

‘‘ It must be done till we can hire another 
stable, an’ that looks like a pretty hard job, 
the folks are down on him so bad.” 

I ain’t much of a hand at carpentering,” 
Ben replied, for labor in any form was particu- 
larly disagreeable to him. 

85 


“WANTED” 


There ’ll be a chance to get your hand in 
to-morrow. Father saw we had pulled some 
of the fence away an’ says it must be put into 
proper shape before noon.” 

That isn’t any of my business. You said 
she’d got to come down, an’ I only did what 
you wanted.” 

Are you goin’ to back out er your share of 
the work?” Teddy asked in surprise, raising 
himself on one elbow to look sternly at his 
companion. 

Why shouldn’t I ? When you talked about 
buyin’ the horse you allowed the whole thing 
was figgered out right, an’ I wouldn’t have gone 
into the business if I’d thought we’d got to skin 
round the way we’ve been doin’ since he be- 
longed to us.” 

You haven’t had any bother.” 

Oh, I haven’t ? You weren’t down at my 
house when I told the folks we’d bought a 
horse.” 

Ho, but I had to see my father an’ will bet 
I got more’n my share,” Teddy replied, em- 
phatically. 

This rather unpleasant conversation was in- 
terrupted by a noise from the outside which 
caused the boys to gaze at each other in fear, 
86 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


and the white horse even stopped eating as he 
raised his head inquiringly. 

In the daytime either of the boys would 
have laughed at the idea that there might be 
anything in or around Washburn’s barn to cause 
them alarm; but now night had come the case 
seemed different, and both were decidedly 
frightened, until a familiar voice was heard 
saying: 

There they are, asleep, I reckon.” 

It’s Bud Hayes, an’ I’ll bet Sim Bowser 
is with him,” Teddy said, in a tone of relief, 
and an instant later the visitors entered the 
barn. 

<< We’ve been lookin’ all round the town for 
you,” Bud said as he went where he could in- 
spect the horse. What set you out to buy this 
plug?” 

You’d better look a little closer before you 
call him names,” Teddy replied, indignantly. 
“ Some fellers don’t know anything about a 
horse an’ never ’ll learn.” 

^‘I reckon you’re pretty well posted,” Bud 
said, sarcastically. 

P’rhaps so. I’ve been keepin’ my eyes open 
a good while, listenin’ while Amos an’ Enoch 
Grant was talkin’, an’ I made up my mind to 


“WANTED 


buy this feller when Uncle Jack got ready to 
let him go.” 

What d’yer count on doin’ with him 
“ We’ll run a express at first an’ then train 
him for a circus horse,” Teddy replied, in a 
matter-of-fact tone, much as if there was no 
doubt in his mind regarding the possibility of 
doing exactly as he had said. 

“ Goin’ into the circus business, eh ?” And a 
shade of envy was apparent in Sim’s tone. 

We thought some of it.” 

Got a cart or harness yet ?” Bud asked. 

ISTo; there’s plenty of time for those things. 
You see, we didn’t buy the horse till this 
noon, an’ have got to fix up a stable first of 
all.” 

That shed of father’s down on the meadow 
would be a good place for him.” 

“ You’re right. Bud. Can we use it ?” 

I dunno yet. You see, I was some thinkin’ 
of buyin’ a boss myself an’ then I’d want it.” 

In the excitement caused by the belief that 
the vexed question of a stable had been settled 
Teddy rose to his feet, and now stood gazing at 
Master Hayes in surprise. 

You buy a horse ?” he repeated. 

Why not ? I reckon it wouldn’t be very 
88 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


hard for Sim an^ me to raise the money if we 
tried.” 

‘^Well, I s’pose yon could; but I don’t see 
what you want to do with one.” 

P’rhaps we might be thinkin’ ’bout goin’ 
into the circus business too,” Bud replied, and 
then began to examine the aged steed more 
critically. I’m afraid this feller’s legs ain’t 
small enough to do much jumpin’ in a ring.” 

I’ll squeeze them down jest as soon as I 
have the time.” 

“ How many oats do you give him ?” 

He hasn’t had any yet. You see, Ben an’ 
me have got to earn some money before we can 
buy much. It took all we had to make up the 
five dollars.” 

There’s no mistake but that he oughter have 
oats,” Bud said, with an ominous shake of the 
head. It don’t take long to spoil the best boss 
that ever walked if he ain’t fed right.” 

Ben looked alarmed, and even Teddy was a 
trifie disconcerted as he replied, impatiently : 

I told you we’d got to wait till the money 
was earned before he could have anything but 
grass.” 

“ Then you oughter shin round mighty live- 
ly,” and Bud gazed pityingly at the aged ani- 
89 


‘‘WANTED^' 


mal, as if expecting each instant to see him 
fall because of lack of grain. He walked slowly 
around him twice and then added, with an as- 
sumption of carelessness, Why not sell out 
half of him an’ there’d be money enough to get 
all he needed.” 

Do you know of anybody who wants to buy 
him?” Ben asked, quickly, hoping it might be 
possible for him to dispose of a property which 
had already caused him considerable sorrow. 

Sim an’ I might go into the speculation if 
we could get a share right, but I’m ’fraid you 
fellers paid more’n he’s worth.” 

That shows you don’t know very much 
’bout horses,” Teddy cried. “ Jest look at him 
an’ then see how big a figger five dollars cuts 
alongside of what he’ll be when he’s fat.” 

Yes, there’s considerable in that,” Bud re- 
plied, reflectively, as if he had just seen some 
good points in the animal which had previously 
remained undiscovered. Still, there’s alters a 
big risk in hoss-flesh, you know, for nobody can 
ever tell when somethin’s goin’ to happen to 
’em.” 

Have you got the money to buy him if 
we could make a trade?” Ben asked, fearful 
lest the conversation should drift away from 
90 


A GREAT SPECULATION 

the subject he was most anxious to hear dis- 
cussed. 

“ Sim an’ me kinder ’lowed we’d be willin’ 
to take half of him if you fellers thought it 
was too much trouble to own the whole, and 
we’ve got enough to do that. A boss is a sight 
of care an’ it costs a good deal to keep him in 
shape. Of course it wouldn’t ’mount to so very 
much if there was four in the speculation. Be- 
sides, if I should he one of the owners, we could 
keep him in father’s shed.” 

This last argument in favor of his purchasing 
an interest in the aged animal was the strongest 
Bud could have made, and Teddy looked inquir- 
ingly at his partner as he asked : 

What do you think about it, Ben ?” 

I’m willin’ to sell half of my share for a 
dollar ’n’ a quarter.” 

But that’s the same price you paid !” Bud 
cried, as if in surprise. 

“ Of course it is. D’yer think we’d sell for 
any less after fillin’ him up with almost every- 
thing this afternoon?” 

It don’t seem as if we oughter give quite 
so much,” Bud replied, slowly; and Teddy 
cried, impatiently: 

That would be a great way to do business, 
91 


“WANTED" 


wouldn’t it? We got a big bargain, an’ it’s 
mighty lucky for you fellers if we let you into 
it without chargin’ any profit.” 

“ I don’t know about that ; but I won’t say 
we ain’t willin’ to pay the price. Come out- 
side a minute, Sim, an’ we’ll make up our 
minds what to do.” 

Master Bowser obeyed by stepping through 
one of the apertures in the side of the barn, 
and when Bud had followed him Ben whispered 
to his partner: 

I think we’d better sell half the horse, 
Teddy, an’ then if there’s any more of this 
watchin’ to be done they can help. Besides, 
we’ll have a stable without runnin’ all over 
the country to get it.” 

I’m agreed to let ’em in, but they mustn’t 
think we’ll take less ’n we paid.” 

Of course not.” 

The conversation was interrupted by the re- 
entrance of the proposed purchasers. They had 
remained outside only a few seconds, and Bud’s 
private interview with Sim seemed nothing 
more than an attempt to convince the owners 
of the horse that he was not really very eager 
to make a trade. 

We’ll give you fellers a dollar apiece,” he 
92 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


said, examining the animal once more. If 
you wasn’t kinder chums of ours I ain’t sure 
as we’d offer so much, ’cause there’s no knowin’ 
how he’ll turn out.” 

It’s got to be a dollar twenty-five or noth- 
in’,” Teddy replied, in a tone of determination. 

Bud walked around the horse once more, held 
a brief whispered consultation with Sim, and 
then, crouching by the lantern, counted out two 
dollars and fifty cents. 

Here’s your stuff,” he said, pushing the 
money toward Teddy. “ Sim put in half an’ 
you fellers can divide it up to suit yourselves. 
How each of us owns a quarter of the boss, eh ?” 

Hot until Teddy had given Ben his share did 
he make any reply, and then it was to say: 

Yes, each feller owns the same. How, if 
you think he oughter have oats, we’ll take up a 
collection.” 

P’rhaps it ’ll be jest as well to wait a while. 
Come to look him over ag’in, I’ve kinder made 
up my mind that he can stand it on grass quite 
a spell. You see, we need a wagon an’ harness, 
an’ what money is raised oughter go toward 
payin’ for them.” 

It seemed strange to Teddy that Bud should 
have changed his mind so suddenly, but he made 
93 


“WANTED” 


no comment upon the fact because there were 
more important matters occupying his attention. 

When can we take the horse up to your 
father’s shed?” he asked. 

The first thing in the mornin’.” 

Ben an’ me have got to mend a fence before 
we do anything else, hut if you fellers help us 
we’ll be ready to go pretty early.” 

Before binding himself to assist in the labor 
Bud insisted on knowing exactly how much 
was to he done, and after learning that the 
task was not likely to he either long or difficult 
promised to do his share. 

ITow can’t you fellers stay here with us to- 
night? It won’t seem so lonesome if there’s a 
crowd.” 

This was exactly what Bud and Sim were 
eager to do, and the former at once set about 
pitching down more hay from the loft in order 
to increase the size of the bed. 

It was yet early in the evening when the 
preparations for the night were completed, and 
then the four partners began laying plans for 
the future. 

It was definitely decided, and with hut little 
discussion, that the horse should he educated 
for a circus life. 


94 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


It seemed to his owners that more money 
could be made in such a manner than by run- 
ning an express-wagon; but they agreed to do 
the latter work for the purpose of increasing 
the capital necessary to train the animal thor- 
oughly in case any good opportunities offered. 

We won’t drive him all over the country 
for nothin’,” Bud said, decidedly. If folks 
want us to carry stuff they must pay a good big 
price. There ain’t so many teams ’round here 
but that we can charge pretty high.” 

In order to guard against a possible accident, 
Mrs. Washburn had insisted that the boys 
should remain with the horse until morning. 

Doubtless she supposed at least one of them 
would he on watch during the hours of dark- 
ness, otherwise this precaution was useless ; hut 
even when the number of the party had been 
doubled her object was not gained. 

After deciding in what manner the aged steed 
could best bring in a large income, the hoys dis- 
cussed plans for converting the shed on the 
meadow into a stable, and when this was con- 
cluded one by one yielded to the desire for sleep. 

The white horse munched the musty hay as 
he watched his new owners, and the night passed 
95 


“WANTED” 


without mishap to the occupants of Mrs. Wash- 
burn’s barn. 

When the first rays of the rising sun found 
their way through the many apertures of the 
building Bud Hayes aroused his companions, 
and from that moment showed he did not in- 
tend to be a silent partner in the horse business. 

He directed that the old fellow should be 
turned into the stable-yard, where was an abun- 
dance of grass to satisfy all his wants, and when 
it had been done said, peremptorily : 

How every feller must go home an’ get his 
breakfast. Then we’ll meet at Teddy’s house 
an’ fix the fence. Afterward we can go out to 
the meadow an’ take the hoss with us.” 

Teddy was disposed to feel aggrieved because 
Master Hayes assumed such a dictatorial tone. 
He had conceived the idea of buying the horse, 
carried it into successful execution, and even 
suffered in the cause, therefore it was but nat- 
ural he should consider himself entitled to the 
position of head of the firm. 

Teddy was, fortunately, not quick-tempered, 
and instead of making any disagreeable re- 
marks he followed Bud’s lead, thinking soft 
words would serve his purpose better until the 
fence had been repaired. 

96 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


D’yer s’pose it’s safe to leave him here 
alone?” Sim asked as the animal began his 
breakfast eagerly, regardless of the fact that 
he had been eating industriously during the 
entire night. 

Of course it is,” Bud replied. I know 
more ’bout bosses than all the rest of you fellers 
put together, so you needn’t be afraid to do 
jest as I say.” 

It don’t seem as if he’d want to get away 
from a place where the grass is so thick,” Teddy 
suggested, meekly. 

“ Of course he won’t. 'Now all hands must 
get home, so’s to have breakfast over as soon as 
possible, an’ them as can had better raise some 
grub to carry out to the meadow, ’cause we may 
want to stay there till night.” 

The partners separated, each to go his own 
way, and an hour later they met again in Mr. 
Marlowe’s orchard. 

The originators of the scheme did not appear 
to be as cheerful as those who had come into 
the firm later, and Ben whispered to Teddy: 

Did your father say anything this mornin’ ?” 

A good deal, an’ I begin to wish I hadn’t 
started the thing.” 

So do I,” was the honest confession, and 
97 


“WANTED” 


thus was established a yet firmer bond of sym- 
pathy between the two who were suffering 
through their love for horses. 

Bud Hayes may have encroached upon 
Teddy’s rights when he took upon himself 
the position of head of the firm, but he cer- 
tainly made a very efficient manager. 

He at once assumed charge of the fence- 
repairing brigade, and under his leadership 
the work was well and quickly done, consid- 
ering all the disadvantages, so far as lack 
of tools was concerned, under which they 
labored. 

Two hours from the time the first blow had 
been struck the task was completed, and Bud 
said, in a tone of satisfaction: 

“ It’s better than before you pulled it down, 
Teddy, an’ I’m sure your father won’t kick 
when he sees the job. How who’s brought grub 
for dinner ?” 

Himself and Sim were the only partners who 
had attended to this important duty. 

Matters were not so pleasant at Ben’s home 
as to give him courage to ask for a lunch, and 
Teddy was in doubt regarding the wisdom of 
broaching such a matter to his mother, until 
Bud said, quite sharply : 

98 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


Us two didn^t bring enough for four, an’ 
you’ll have to see what can be done.” 

Very unwillingly Teddy went into the house, 
but he emerged a few moments later looking 
decidedly pleased. 

It’s all right,” he cried, holding up a 
capacious basket. This is pretty nigh full, 
an’ mother says if I want to I can stay out 
on the meadow until the mornin’.” 

Then let’s get right along. Sim, us fellows 
will go to Washburn’s barn an’ you skin ’round 
for some nails an’ a hammer,” Bud said, au- 
thoritatively, as he borrowed Mr. Marlowe’s saw 
without the formality of asking the owner’s con- 
sent. 

Sim was always ready to obey the slightest 
order coming from Bud, whom he considered a 
paragon of wisdom, therefore he started for 
home at full speed, while the remainder of the 
party walked rapidly toward the Washburn 
stable. 

'Not until they were directly in front of the 
bars was it possible to gain a full view of the 
yard where the aged horse had been left owing 
to the numerous buildings, and then, to the 
dismay of all, the animal was nowhere to be 
seen. 


99 


“WANTED” 


What has become of him Ben asked, with 
quivering lips, for now there was a possibility 
of his having been stolen the horse rapidly in- 
creased in value in Master Tucker’s mind. 

Teddy leaped over the bars and walked from 
one end of the yard to the other, as if thinking 
the animal might be concealed among the weeds, 
but Bud directed his attention to the outside. 

“ Crickey ! !N’ow we are in a scrape !” he 
cried a few seconds later, pointing toward 
Deacon Ladd’s patch of early peas. How do 
you s’pose he got over there ?” 

It won’t pay to spend much time tryin’ to 
find that out,” Teddy cried as he ran in the 
direction of the truant. There’ll be a terrible 
row if we don’t get him away before the deacon 
comes.” 

This was exactly what they did not succeed 
in doing. 

It so chanced that Mrs. Ladd wanted green 
peas that morning, and the deacon was walking 
slowly through the patch gathering them at the 
very moment the boys discovered the horse’s 
whereabouts. 

Although the old gentleman was obliged to 
wear glasses at times, his eyes were sufficiently 
good to permit of his seeing the white horse as 
100 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


quickly as the partners did, and he entirely 
forgot that he that is slow to anger is better 
than the mighty.” 

^^Hi, there, you boys!” he shouted, in an 
angry voice ; whose horse is that ?” 

During fully an instant no one replied ; each 
looked at the other in fear, and then as the 
question was repeated Ben cried in the thinnest 
and shrillest of voices: 

All three of us fellers own him, deacon.” 

Oh, you do, eh ? Well, ITl put him in 
the pound and show you little rascals that you 
can’t turn things like him loose in a respectable 
neighborhood 1” 

If he does that our jig is up,” Bud whis- 
pered, in alarm. We shall have to pay for 
all the peas he’s ate, an’ I’m thinkin’ it ’ll be a 
mighty big bill.” 

Can’t we get the old fellow out before the 
deacon catches him?” Teddy asked, nervously, 
fearing that the deacon would put his threat into 
execution. 

S’posen we try it ; but we must make b’lieve 
we’re only goin’ to pen him in one corner.” 

Here !” the deacon cried, sharply, as Bud 
began to clamber over the fence, I’ll take care 
of him an’ you needn’t trouble yourselves. You 
101 


“WANTED'’ 


boys shall have a lesson that won’t be forgotten 
very soon.” 

But we wanter help catch him before he 
does any more mischief,” Bud replied, inno- 
cently. There’ll be enough for us to pay as 
it is, an’ we’re bound to stop this thing as soon 
as possible.” 

The deacon would probably have insisted that 
the boys keep otf his land if at that moment 
the old horse had not started at a really respect- 
able gallop through the most flourishing part of 
the garden. 


IV 

It was now a case of allowing the owners of 
the animal to assist in the capture or of seeing 
the vegetables in which he had taken so much 
pride destroyed ; and, much against his inclina- 
tion, the deacon permitted the boys to scale the 
fence. 

“ I want to catch him !” the old gentleman 
cried, angrily. It doesn’t make any difference 
how much you help me, he’s got to go to the 
pound !” 

We’ll send him up toward the deacon’s 
house,” Bud whispered to Teddy. The gate 
102 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


is open and it won’t be much of a job to keep 
him in a gallop by usin’ plenty of stones.” 

While the deacon ran one way to head the 
horse off the boys kept directly behind their 
property, and by skilful stone-throwing suc- 
ceeded in sending him between the rows of peas 
at full speed. 

Don’t let him get out !” the angry owner of 
the garden shouted, and an instant later the 
horse darted through the gate to the highway. 

That’s exactly what you little rascals were 
trying to do all the time!” And the deacon 
shook his fist in impotent rage. “ But you 
needn’t think it ’ll be possible to escape paying 
for the destruction of this property, I know 
every one of you, and your fathers shall settle 
the bill as sure’s my name is Ezra Ladd.” 

An’ he’ll do just what he threatens,” Bud 
said to Teddy as they ran up the road in pur- 
suit of the horse. I reckon we’ve got our- 
selves into a scrape, for I don’t know how it ’ll 
ever be possible to pay for the peas.” 

It seems as if that horse was bound to keep 
me in a fuss all the time,” and Teddy was on 
the verge of crying through anxiety and vexa- 
tion. I wish I’d never seen him !” 

There’s no use talkin’ like that now. We’ve 

c 103 


“WANTED” 


got into the row an’ must crawl out the best 
we know how. Let’s try to corner the horse in 
the alders an’ lead him through Chick’s common 
to father’s meadow.” 

The deacon will be out there after him.” 

I reckon that’s a fact,” and Bud halted in 
dismay. S’posin’ we take him into the woods 
till the thing is fixed up somehow?” 

Any scheme seemed better than facing the 
deacon while he was in such an angry mood, 
and the boys continued to urge their property on 
until he was concealed in the friendly shelter of 
Merrill’s grove. 

We’ve got our work cut out for this day,” 
Bud said as he wiped the perspiration from his 
face and fanned himself with a hat which had 
lost the greater portion of its brim. Say ! 
Where’s the grub ?” 

In Washburn’s barn-yard, I reckon. There’s 
where I left mine,” and Teddy threw himself 
down beside a log within a few yards of the 
aged steed, who was cropping the rank herbage 
eagerly. 

Then somebody must go after it right away. 
I’ve got to shinny ’round an’ see how we can 
fix things to quiet the deacon, so I can’t ’tend 
to it.” 


104 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


Let Ben do that an’ I’ll stay here with the 
horse,” Teddy said. If father should see me, 
an’ know what’s been done, he’d make me stay 
at home.” 

The two had not been absent more than ten 
minutes when Sim arrived with the hammer 
and nails. 

Yes, I know all about it,” he said, inter- 
rupting Teddy as he was beginning to tell the 
story of the mishap. Heard the whole yarn 
at the village; the deacon’s down to Haley’s 
store goin’ on awful an’ says he’ll have us 
arrested. I shouldn’t wonder if he would, 
for he thought a mighty big lot of that pea- 
patch.” 

What do the rest of the folks say ?” 

Your father advised him to shoot the horse 
or else sell him to pay for the damage. I reckon 
you’ll ketch it hot when you go home.” 

Ben returned half an hour later with the 
baskets of food, but had no additional informa- 
tion to impart. Fearing lest he should meet 
his father, he had not ventured any nearer the 
village than Mrs. Washburn’s barn, and, having 
secured the provisions, retraced his steps with 
all possible speed. 

If we’ve qot to have a boss we’d better make 
105 


“WANTED’* 


some arrangements for stayin’ out of town while 
we own him,” he said, petulantly. It’s been 
nothin’ but a row ever since we bought that 
rack of bones, an’ I wish Jack Douglass had 
him stuck under his black nose.” 

There’s no use gettin’ down to the heel 
over this thing,” Teddy said, in what he in- 
tended should be a cheerful tone, but the future 
looked so dark that he could not divest his voice 
of a certain tone of sadness. I reckon it ’ll 
come out right after a while.” 

“P’rhaps it will,” Ben replied, with what 
sounded suspiciously like a sob ; but what er 
we goin’ to do while it’s bein’ straightened? 
If I go home now I’m pretty certain of gettin’ 
a whippin’, an’ if I try to sneak over to grand- 
father’s the deacon will have me arrested. I 
’spect he’s layin’ for us mighty sharp.” 

He’ll have hard work to find us here,” Sim 
suggested. 

That may be ; but who wants to stay in 
the woods all the rest of his life?” 

How don’t bother so much !” Teddy cried, 
impatiently, for Ben’s forebodings had a most 
depressing effect upon his own spirits. Bud 
is down to the village fixin’ things, an’ when 
he gets back we’ll be all right.” 

106 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


Sim, who was always disposed to let matters 
take their natural course without any attempt 
on his part to interfere, had begun building a 
camp of boughs, and in reply to Teddy’s ques- 
tion why he was spending his time in such a 
foolish manner ” replied, If things are so hot 
in the village that we’ve got to stay out here two 
or three weeks something like this will come in 
mighty handy, and if Bud straightens matters 
I’ve only kept my hands busy, which, ’cordin’ 
to my way of thinkin’, is a good deal better than 
groanin’ over what can’t be cured, as you an’ 
Ben are doin’.” 

Until this moment Teddy had looked upon 
Master Bowser as a boy who could not boast 
of a particularly brilliant intellect, but now his 
opinion was changed. He did not join in the 
labor, however, and Sim worked alone, while 
Ben alternately moaned over his ill-fortune and 
scolded because he had been induced to purchase 
the horse. 

Two long hours elapsed before Bud returned, 
and the expression on his face told that he had 
not been successful in his mission. 

There’s no gettin’ out of the fact that we’re 
in a nice mess,” he said, mournfully. The 
deacon says at least three dollars’ worth of peas 
107 


“WANTED” 


have been destroyed, an’ he’s bound to make ns 
pay for them.” 

How can he if we haven’t a cent ?” Teddy 
asked, angrily. 

“ Yon an’ Ben have got a dollar ’n’ a qnarter 
apiece, an’ I s’pose Sim an’ me conld scare np 
the other fifty cents when it come to a pinch,” 
End replied, moodily. 

Then we’d be pnttin’ in almost twice as 
mnch as yon, an’ the horse wonld stand ns eight 
dollars !” Teddy cried, springing to his feet ex- 
citedly. 

Well, what of that ? The thing mnst be set- 
tled somehow, an’ ns two fellows haven’t as 
mnch money as yon.” 

I’ll pay my share of the deacon’s bill, bnt 
no more, Bnd Hayes.” 

An’ I won’t pnt ont a cent, no matter what 
happens,” Ben added, snlkily. Father says 
I’ve got to sell the old boss, an’ I don’t b’lieve 
he ’monnts to very mnch, anyway. We can’t 
rnn an express till we earn money enongh to 
bny a wagon an’ harness, an’ what’s the nse of 
tryin’ to learn him circns tricks before we know 
whether folks wonld want to bny him after he 
conld perform ?” 

Bnt we’ve got to settle with the deacon 
108 


A GREAT SPECULATION 

somehow,” Bud replied. Your father is 
mighty cross about it, an^ Teddy^s asked me if 
I knew where he was.” 

What did you tell him ?” 

I said you were goin’ over to the meadow 
to patch up the shed, so’s we could keep the 
horse there; and he told me to tell you not to 
come back to the house so long as you owned 
any part of old whitey.” 

But how am I goin’ to sell him ?” Teddy 
asked, in despair. Do you want to buy my 
share. Bud?” 

N’ot much. In the first place, I haven’t the 
money to pay for him; an’ then, again, how 
could I settle with the deacon? If I hadn’t 
made the trade with you fellers last night I’d 
have my cash in my pocket, an’ that’s where I 
wish it was this minute. I don’t see why you 
an’ Ben didn’t talk with your fathers before 
startin’ in such a foolish business.” 

Did you say anything to your folks ?” 
Teddy asked, petulantly. 

Ho, for after you fellers owned him I 
s’posed it was all right.” 

I’d never thought of buyin’ the old rack of 
bones if it hadn’t been for Teddy,” Ben whined. 

He just the same as made me go into the 
109 


“WANTED’* 


scheme; ’lowed he knew where he conld keep 
the horse an’ all that kind of talk.” 

Fortunately, Teddy checked the angry reply 
that rose to his lips, but only after the greatest 
effort, and then plunged into the thickest por- 
tion of the grove, that he might be alone with 
his sorrow and remorse. He realized that he 
had deceived Ben to a certain extent when the 
animal was purchased ; but Bud could make no 
such complaint, and he entirely lost sight of his 
own fault while thinking of the injustice done 
him by the new partner. 

Hot until noon was the party reunited, and 
then the boys made a silent and unsatisfactory 
meal from the contents of the lunch-baskets. 
The food cheered them in a certain degree, and 
when hunger had been satisfied matters did not 
look so desperate. 

We’ve got to decide on somethin’,” Teddy 
said, when it was no longer possible for him 
to eat any more. Of course we can’t stay here 
forever.” 

“ But we’ll have to keep out of sight till we 
can settle with the deacon,” Bud suggested. 

I’d rather lose the whole of my dollar ’n’ 
a quarter than try to go on this way,” Ben said, 
mournfully. “Besides, I can’t show up at 
110 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


home till IVe sold out mj share. Will either 
of you fellows give me half what I paid 

I’m willin’ to give my whole interest in 
the old beast away rather than have things run 
like this,” Teddy replied ; an’ if you three 
fellows pay the deacon, I’ll step down an’ say 
nothin’ ’bout the money I’ve put in. I don’t 
b’lieve he’ll make any great shakes of a circus 
horse, anyhow.” 

Ho one took advantage of this tempting offer. 
We’ve done ourselves out of Fourth-of-July 
money an’ have got more to pay, hut there’s no 
use makin’ such a fuss about it,” Sim said, 
philosophically. I own as much as the rest 
of you fellows an’ will have to come up with 
my share of the deacon’s hill; hut I must earn 
it first, an’ the question is whether he’ll wait.” 

I don’t b’lieve he will, ’cordin’ to the way 
he talked when I saw him,” Bud replied. Look 
here, fellows, there’s no use my sayin’ I’ll pay 
my share of the pea money, for it comes to ’most 
a dollar an’ I couldn’t rake that much together 
in a month. Don’t you s’pose Dncle Jack will 
buy the horse back ? He hasn’t even been har- 
nessed an’ has had plenty to eat.” 

Strange as it may seem, neither of the other 
partners had thought of that way out of their 
111 


“WANTED” 


difficulties; but now that Bud suggested it all 
were eager to learn what might be done. 

Let^s go over there this very minute an’ 
take the old rack of bones with us/’ Teddy cried. 

If we could get him off er our hands I’d feel 
like a different fellow.” 

It ’ll be a case of losin’ pretty nigh all we 
put in it, for I don’t s’pose Uncle Jack will give 
us more’n four dollars an’ we’ll have to pay the 
deacon three of that,” Bud suggested. 

I don’t care if we lose every cent, providin’ 
we can get out o’ the scrape.” 

Come on, then, an’ I’ll have the satisfaction 
of ridin’ the only hoss I ever owned once, if no 
more.” 

Bud leaped on the back of the aged steed and 
headed a mournful procession through the grove 
to the old darky’s home. Uncle Jack was 
seated on the threshold of his cabin playing 
the same tune the boys heard while the sup- 
posedly valuable animal was being led away, 
and he paid no attention to the new-comers 
until they halted in front of him. Then, con- 
tinuing to move the bow back and forth across 
the strings gently, the old fellow greeted his 
visitors. 

Mawnin’, chill un, mawnin’. Goodness me, 
112 


A GREAT SPECULATION 

but you hab begun ter fat de ole boss up fur a 
facM I ’clar’, it don’ seem pussible dat ar’ 
animile could er growed so fas’ in one night.” 

If apples, potatoes, and green peas, to say 
nothing of hay an’ grass, could do anything, he 
oughter be fat as a porpoise by this time,” 
Teddy said, grimly. We haven’t asked him 
to do anything but eat, an’ he’s been willin’ 
enough to do that. See here. Uncle Jack, our 
ownin’ this horse has kicked up an awful fuss 
an’ we want you to buy him back.” 

“ ISTow you’s foolin’ fur suah, honey.” 

Uot a bit of it. We’ve got into a scrape 
an’ the only way out is to sell him.” 

Then Teddy told of the damage done the 
deacon’s peas, and the amount it would be 
necessary to pay in order to settle the matter. 

You s’prise me, I ’clar’ you s’prise me 1” 
the old man said, in well-counterfeited astonish- 
ment. I nebber knowed dat ar’ boss ter cut 
up dat way afore. It des seems ter me like you 
chillun mus’ er been puttin’ mischief inter his 
head.” 

How could we do anything of the kind ?” 
Bud asked, impatiently. He saw the peas 
and went after ’em. How the deacon is after us 
an’ we’ve got to sell out.” 

113 


“WANTED” 


It des seems ter me as if you chillun had 
been puttin’ dat ar boss up to tricks,” the old 
man repeated, paying no attention to Bud’s re- 
mark. Wba’ you’s been er-doin’ ter him ? 
Looks like he’s bin drove mos’ ter def.” 

We haven’t had a harness on him, because 
we didn’t have any, an’ all he’s done has been 
to eat,” Teddy interrupted. 

“ It des looks like he’d bin drove mos’ ter def. 
Dat ain’ de same kin’ ob a boss I done sol’ you.” 

'Now you’re talkin’ foolishly,” Teddy cried, 
impatiently. If the deacon comes along this 
way you’ll soon know whether it’s the same 
horse or not. What will you give us for 
him ?” 

How’s a ole man like me gwine ter keep a 
boss when de winter comes? Tell me dat, 
honey.” 

You got through last season with him, an’ 
from the way you talked when we bought him 
he’s worth a good deal more’n we paid.” 

Dat might er bin yeste’day, honey ; but des 
look at de po’ beas’ now.” 

What’s the matter with him ?” 

He acts like he’s done gone used out. I 
nebber seen him so ’scouraged afore.” 

]N’ow that’s nonsense, Uncle Jack, an’ you 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


know it. It isn’t five minutes since you was 
surprised at seein’ him so fat.” 

Dat was erfore I’d got er good look at him, 
honey. I^ow he’s sad in de eye, same’s ef he 
didn’t hah a bite ter eat sence Crismus.” 

What will you give us for him ?” Bud 
asked, his patience being rapidly exhausted by 
the old darky’s talk and a fear in his heart that 
the deacon might come up the road before the 
aged steed changed owners again. 

I don’ see my way ter buy bosses dis year,” 
the old man replied, with an emphatic shake of 
the head, and then, as if believing the matter 
was finally settled, he began to fiddle vigorously. 

The boys were discouraged. 

Give us four dollars an’ you may have 
him,” Teddy cried, eager now to dispose of the 
property which a few hours previous had seemed 
so valuable. 

I don’ ’low he’s wuf dat much, honey.” 

^^But we gave you five for him yesterday.” 

Dat am a fac’, but I done ’member de aige 
ob dat animile sence I sol’ him an’ he’s mighty 
ole. I ’low he like to die any day now.” 

Then you don’t want him at any price ?” 
Bud cried, seizing the halter as if to lead the 
horse away. 


115 


^WANTED” 


I didn’ say, chillun, dat I wouldn’ hab him 
ef he cum at my figger; but I’s a po’ ole mau 
an’ earn’ ’ford ter pay much fur sich luxuries 
as a boss. ISTow ef yer wants two dollars fur 
dat skelinton take off de halter an’ yer Uncle 
Jack is boun’ ter ban’ de money ober.” 

“ But we gave you five and have yet to pay 
the deacon three dollars for what peas he 
ate.” 

“ It’s a drefful mistake ter feed er ole boss 
like that on green peas at dis time ob de year. 
Grass is good enuf fur him an’ it’s er mighty 
sight cheaper.” 

“ Of course it is,” Bud said, impatiently. 

You don’t s’pose we wanted him to have the 
peas, do you ? If two dollars is all you’ll give 
we may as well drag him away, for his hide an’ 
bones are worth three.” 

Only des two fifty, honey. I done fin’ dat 
out when I wanted ter ’spose of him las’ year. 

Well, will you give us that much ?” 

I s’pose I’s boun’ ter ; but it am hard ter 
make this yere kin’ ob a trade whar dere’s no 
show ob a profit.” 

You’d be gettin’ all he’s worth simply for 
allowing us a chance to feed him if he comes 
back at that price, but I don’t know whether 
116 


A GREAT SPECULATION 


the other fellows will be ready to part with him 
at sich a low figure.” 

I’ll take anything, but would like enough 
to square up with the deacon,” Ben said, quick- 
ly, and Teddy added, emphatically : 

My quarter of the old horse goes at the 
offer, an’ I shall be mighty lucky to get him 
off my hands.” 

Since all were of the same opinion the halter 
was removed from the animal’s neck, the money 
paid by Uncle Jack, and the speculators who 
had gone into business without first counting 
the cost went toward the town to make some 
kind of a bargain with the deacon for the dam- 
age done his garden. 

Well,” Teddy said, in a tone of relief, when 
they were where it was no longer possible to 
hear the old darky’s violin, we have got out 
of the scrape at last, and now, if every feller 
will come up with twelve cents. I’ll give four- 
teen, an’ that ’ll pay the deacon.” 

‘‘ Yes, we’re out o’ the scrape an’ I’d never 
got in it if it hadn’t been for you,” Ben said, 
with a sigh. The next time you think there’s 
a big chance to make money don’t come where 
I am.” 

I reckon I’ve had enough of horse trades,” 
117 


“WANTED” 


Bud added as he counted out twelve cents from 
his small hoard. A dollar ’n’ thirty-seven 
cents for the chance to set up with an old plug 
one night is cornin’ it a little too rich for my 
blood.” 

Sim made no comment as he contributed his 
share toward satisfying the deacon’s demands, 
but there was an expression on his face which 
told that he had permanently retired from 
speculations in horses. 

Perhaps Teddy received full value for his 
money, inasmuch as he had learned that which 
he promised himself should never be forgotten. 


TOM^S TROUBLES 


I 

S T’S no use, boys ; I can’t stand it any 
longer ” ; and Tom Gibson leaned 
against the fence in front of four 
of his most intimate friends, assum- 
ing such an attitude as he believed should be 
taken by a very badly abused boy. 

What is it now asked little Dwight Hol- 
den, in a very unsympathetic tone, much as if 
he did not believe Tom’s troubles to be so very 
severe. 

It’s the same thing every day till I’m all 
worn out,” and Tom wiped his dry eyes with 
his jacket-sleeve, more to show how heavy his 
heart was than from any necessity. I have 
to ’tend that ugly baby every time when there’s 
a good game of ball or I spy going on; an’ if 
it does happen that I get out for a day’s fun, I 
9 119 


“WANTED'' 


have to lug wood an’ water after I get home till 
my arms are just ready to drop off. But I’m 
through now an’ that’s all there is to it.” 

“ What ’ll you do ?” and Kirk Masters con- 
tinued to eat a very small and very green apple 
in a way that showed how much more intent 
he was upon his limited feast than upon his 
friend’s wrongs. 

I know what I can do,” said Tom, with a 
shake of his head that was intended should con- 
vey the idea of great mystery, and in this at- 
tempt he was remarkably successful. His 
friends had heard of his troubles before and 
it was an old story, but the fact that he had 
formed some plan which he intended should be 
kept a secret was sufficient to arouse all their 
curiosity. Dwight was as eager as he had been 
apathetic, Kirk’s apple seemed suddenly to have 
lost its flavor, and the entire group of boys 
gathered around Tom very closely, as if fearful 
lest they should lose some portion of the won- 
derful secret they were certain he was about to 
tell them. 

I am not sure that I dare to tell you,” said 
Tom, in a mysterious whisper, and the boys 
knew at once that he was ready to tell them 
all. You see, if my folks should know 
120 


TOM’S TROUBLES 


what I’m going to do, that would spoil every- 
thing.” 

“ But what are yon going to do persisted 
Kirk, whose interest in his apple was now 
wholly gone. 

Promise that yon won’t ever tell.” 

In an instant every hoy had vowed that he 
would keep the secret, and, after assuring him- 
self that there was no other person near who 
might hear him, Tom began : 

I’m going to run away.” 

The little circle of listeners gazed at the bold 
boy in almost breathless astonishment, and Tom, 
fully enjoying the sensation he had caused, con- 
tinued his story after first pausing sufficiently 
long to note the effect which his announcement 
had upon his hearers. 

Yes, I’m going, and you just better believe 
that I’ll go so far away that nobody ’ll ever find 
me. I’ve stood this working around home just 
as long as I can, and I’ll show my folks what 
it is to treat a boy the way they’ve treated me.” 

But where are you going, Tom ?” 

That part of it I’m not going to tell,” said 
Tom, with a decided shake of the head, pre- 
ferring to seem cruel rather than confess that 
he had no idea as to where he should go to escape 
121 


“WANTED” 


the tyranny of his parents. I’ll leave here 
some night, hide under the bridge at Kankin’s 
brook till morning, and then go to some place 
where none of the folks around here will ever 
find me.” 

But what makes you hide under Bankin’s 
bridge all night asked Dwight Holden, curi- 
ously. 

So’s I’ll be all ready to start just as soon’s 
it’s daylight, of course.” 

I don’t see what you want to do that for,” 
persisted Dwight. You could sleep at home 
all night and then start from there as early as 
you wanted to. Hobody would think of stop- 
ping you, for they’d believe you were just going 
to the pasture.” 

Tom was puzzled, just for an instant, as to 
how he should answer the question, and then 
realizing that it would never do for a boy who 
was about to run away from home to confess 
that he did not fully understand his own plans 
he answered, with a great show of dignity : 

Don’t you bother. I think I know what 
I’m about. I’ve got to sleep under Eankin’s 
bridge the night I run away or else the thing 
wouldn’t work.” 

The vagueness of the plan gave it a greater 
122 


TOM’S TROUBLES 


charm in the eyes of Tom’s friends. If it had 
been a simple scheme of running away, and 
they had understood it in all its details, it would 
have seemed dull and commonplace compared 
to what it was when it was so essential that Tom 
should sleep under the bridge the night previous 
to his leaving home forever. 

Tom Gibson thoroughly enjoyed the sensa- 
tion he was causing, and was by no means dis- 
posed to leave his friends before whom he was 
posing as a hero. He did his best to he mysteri- 
ous both in speech and action, and would have 
continued to throw out vague hints as to his 
plans all the afternoon had not one of his op- 
pressors — his mother — called him into the 
house to perform some one of the many tasks 
which he believed was wearing his young life 
away. 

It is quite possible, if the whole truth could 
be known, that Tom had not fully made up his 
mind to run away from his comfortable home 
when he first broached the subject to his 
friends; but they had looked upon him as 
such a hero from the first moment he men- 
tioned it that he decided it was necessary for 
him to go. 

I’ll keep on doing what she tells me to, so 
123 


“WANTED" 


that folks will see how hard I have to work,” 
he muttered to himself as he left the boys and 
went toward the house, and then when I^m 
off so far that nobody knows where I am mother 
’ll be sorry she made me work so hard.” 

As a matter of course, whenever Tom’s 
friends met him, after he had announced his 
determination of leaving home, they made in- 
quiries as to the carrying out of his plan, and 
this was so pleasant to the dissatisfied and 
abused young man that he put off taking the 
final step as long as possible. In fact, he de- 
layed so long that Dwight Holden plainly said 
one day that he did not believe Tom had ever 
intended to run away, but that he had said so 
simply for the purpose of making himself 
look big.” 

From that day he set about making his prepa- 
rations for departure in earnest, telling his 
friends that on the following Tuesday he would 
disappear, never to be seen in Sedgwick again, 
unless he should decide, many years later, to 
come back as a wealthy gentleman, to see how 
much the town had suffered by his absence. 

Since he would be obliged to walk a good 
portion of the distance to the place where his 
fortune was to be made, he was forced to leave 
124 


TOM'S TROUBLES 


out of the bundle he was making up manj of 
his valuables because of their size and weight. 
A toy engine, a glass pen and holder, two rubber 
balls, a large collection of marbles (agates and 
alleys), a folding kite frame, three odd skates, a 
lodestone, and two mouth harmonicas made up 
the list of treasures that could be carried, and 
these were carefully packed in an old army 
blanket. He had saved cookies, gingerbread, 
and choice pieces of pie until he had as much 
as he believed would suffice as food for a week, 
and this he intended to carry in a paper parcel 
in his hand. 

Every arrangement had been made. The 
day Tom had set for his departure came so 
quickly that it seemed as if there must have 
been some mistake in the almanac, and two or 
three days had been lost. Tom met his friends, 
acted the part of a hero before them until it 
was so late that each one had been obliged to 
go home, and then he, having bidden each one 
in turn a solemn good-by, was compelled to 
carry out the plan he had laid. 

It is certain that at the moment his friends 
left him Tom was thoroughly sorry he had ever 
said anything about running away. He had 
suddenly come to understand what it was to 
125 


‘‘WANTED’' 


be alone, and he by no means fancied the sensa- 
tion. At that moment his troubles which were 
obliging him to leave home did not seem to be 
nearly so great as they had been a few days 
before; his home had never appeared so cheer- 
ful as now when he was leaving it, and he actu- 
ally began to hope that some insurmountable ob- 
stacle would occur to prevent his running away. 

The tears filled his eyes as he crept softly 
up the back stairs, wishing so much that he 
could kiss his mother and sister good-by, wish- 
ing that he had never thought of going, but 
fully believing that it would be unmanly not to 
do so, and that his schoolmates would laugh at 
him if he should abandon the scheme before he 
had even attempted to carry it into execution. 

He hoped the stairs would creak so loudly 
that his mother would come to see what the 
matter was and discover him leaving the house 
with his bundles, but when he came down there 
was hardly a sound. He was out of the house 
without, apparently, having been discovered, 
and his heart was very heavy as he walked 
slowly around the yard to the gate, with a long, 
lonely journey before him and with no idea as 
to where would be the end. 

He had opened the gate and was taking a 
126 


TOM’S TROUBLES 


farewell look at the house, when, to his great de- 
light, the front door was opened and he saw his 
mother. He would surely he called back now, 
he thought, and his friends could not accuse 
him of having been afraid to carry out his plans. 

So you are really going to run away, are 
you, Tommy?” said his mother, who did not 
appear in the least surprised by his intended 
departure. 

Yes’m,” replied Tom, in a very low tone, 
feeling foolish and at the same time wondering 
whether his secret had been betrayed by his 
friends. 

Well,” continued Mrs. Gibson, speaking in 
a matter-of-fact way and as if the subject was 
an indifferent one to her, if you feel that you 
must go, I see no reason why you should not 
have left the house in the daytime ; but of course 
you know best. I noticed that you did not pack 
any of your clothes, so I put the most of them 
in this satchel, which I think you will find more 
convenient than that bundle.” 

Tom didn’t want to accept the satchel his 
mother held out to him; but there seemed to 
be no other course to pursue, and he took it, 
feeling as he did so that if his mother had loved 
him very dearly she would have boxed his ears 


ANTED” 


severely, ordering him at the same time to come 
back into the house. 

Your father said he heard that Captain 
Harrison was ready to sail, and knowing that 
you have decided to sleep under Kankin’s bridge 
we concluded that you were going with him, 
since the vessel is in the river just below there.’’ 

Tommy’s heart was so full that he could not 
speak. Instead of being told to come into the 
house and behave himself, as he would have been 
only too glad to do, here was his mother actually 
helping him to run away, and talking as if she 
thought it was the best course he could pursue. 

I suppose you are in a hurry, Tommy,” 
said Mrs. Gribson, kindly, so I won’t detain 
you. We shall be glad to see you if you should 
conclude to come back here. Good-by. I hope 
you will enjoy yourself better than you ever 
could at home.” 

The door was closed, and the almost broken- 
hearted runaway could do no less than continue 
his flight, out of which all the romance had 
been taken. 

II 

As Tom walked from the house he was in a 
very uncomfortable frame of mind. He felt 
128 


TOM’S TROUBLES 


that his mother had been unkind in allowing 
him to do as he had at first wanted to do, and 
that if she had really loved him she would have 
obliged him to come back. He felt as if he had 
been wronged because he had not been punished 
severely, and he was fully convinced that he had 
made a mistake when he had decided that the 
only thing he could do was to run away. 

There was no possible excuse for him to re- 
turn. If his mother had not seen him, he be- 
lieved he would have sneaked back into the 
house and have borne all the jeers of his school- 
mates because he had backed out.^’ But he 
decided that he could not even do that now, and 
that it was absolutely necessary for him to go 
on as he had begun. 

How I wish I hadnT started V’ he said to 
himself as he trudged along toward Kankin’s 
brook, his bundles growing heavier each mo- 
ment. She told me about Captain Harrison’s 
going away to-morrow, so that I could go with 
him and that she’d know where I was. But I 
won’t do anything like that. I’ll go ’way off 
where she won’t ever see me again, and then 
she’ll be sorry she was so willing to let me run 
away.” 

Tommy was being severely punished for 
129 


“WANTED” 


wanting to leave his home and he knew it, hut 
he had not suffered enough to cause him to he 
willing to admit his fault and to ask his mother 
to forgive him; therefore the discouraged run- 
away very unwillingly continued his decidedly 
desolate course. 

By some singular chance he met no one on his 
way. If he could have done so he felt that he 
might in some slight degree revenge himself, for 
he would have sent word to his mother that he 
did not intend to go with Captain Harrison 
and that she should never hear from him again. 

But he did not meet any one from the time 
he left his home until he arrived at the bridge, 
and then he realized that if the scheme had not 
been entirely a success neither had the details 
been perfect. To sleep under Rankin’s bridge, 
when he thought of it in the daytime, and with 
his schoolmates around him, was nothing more 
than a pleasant little adventure; but when it 
came to carrying the plan into execution it was 
quite a different matter. The night was dark; 
the brook gurgled and sang in a most ghostly 
fashion; the air under the stone arches felt 
damp; and he could find no place where he 
could lie down with any prospect of comfort. 

It’s no use. I can’t fix any kind of a bed 
130 


TOM’S TROUBLES 


here, so IVe got to sit up all night — that’s all 
there is to it.” 

Tom was reckless by this time, and without 
any care as to a selection of the spot where he 
was to spend the night he sat down in about 
as uncomfortable a place as he could have 
found, confident that the time would seem very 
short. 

He tried to make up his mind as to where 
he would go when the morning should come; 
then he felt about for a softer seat, very nearly 
falling into the water in the attempt. He 
thought of his mother’s sorrow, which was to 
be his revenge, and then again he changed his 
position. He wondered if his schoolmates were 
snugly tucked up in bed asleep; and then he 
began to doze, leaning his head against the 
granite sides of the arch. 

Suddenly he awoke with a start that gave 
him a very uncomfortable twinge in his neck, 
while every portion of his body was stiff and 
lame. He thought that he had slept a long 
time, and he looked out from under the bridge, 
fully expecting to see the sun. It was as dark 
as when he first sought this very uncomfortable 
sleeping-place. 

The sun hasn’t come up,” he said as he 
131 


“WANTED*' 


settled back on tbe rock in a very awkward 
manner, as if it hurt him to move around much ; 

but I know it must be morning, because I feel 
as if I’d been asleep ten or twelve hours. I’ll 
start up the road a little.” 

Just at that moment the village clock began 
to strike and Tom counted : 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, 
nine, ten, eleven 

Only eleven o’clock, and he had thought it 
was time for the sun to rise ! 

Tom tried to lie down first in one place and 
then in another, but the sharp-pointed rocks 
prevented him from assuming anything like a 
reclining position. Then he thought of his own 
nice bed; but he knew he could not enjoy it, 
at least not without too great a sacrifice of man- 
ly dignity. 

He thought of Captain Harrison’s schooner, 
which was to sail on the following morning. 
He might go on board of her ; but if he should 
do so, how could he revenge himself on his 
mother ? 

I can’t stay here all night if it’s going to 
last as long as this hour has. I don’t want to 
walk up the road, because I can’t see where I’m 
going. Mother won’t know for certain that I’ve 
132 


TOM'S TROUBLES 


gone on the Swifisure, and she^ll feel bad 
enough to-morrow morning when I don’t come 
home to breakfast, so I’ll go on board where 
I can get some sleep.” 

Tom knew exactly where the clumsy old 
schooner was moored, for many a time had 
he and his friends been up to look at her when 
she was in port and laughed at the name of 
Swiftsure, which it seemed must have been 
painted on her stern in mockery. 

With his bundles in his hands he stumbled 
down through the pasture, following the course 
of the brook, until he arrived at a little stone 
pier, at the head of which could be seen the old 
schooner which had been made ready for a fish- 
ing cruise down the coast. 

Tom scrambled on board as softly as was pos- 
sible in the darkness ; but he might have saved 
himself the trouble of taking precautions to 
prevent any one from hearing him, for the old 
schooner was deserted and looked quite as lone- 
some as he felt. The cabin-doors were locked, 
the hatches were fastened down too securely for 
him to raise them unaided, and it seemed very 
much as if even the Swiftsure denied him the 
shelter he so sadly needed. 

On the deck lay an upturned dory. He might 
133 


“WANTED” 


crawl under that, and although it would he but 
poor shelter it was surely better than trying to 
lie on the sharp rocks under the bridge. Tom 
was not nearly as particular where he slept as 
he would have been at home, and he counted 
himself very fortunate in finding under the 
boat a quantity of old nets that made him quite 
a soft bed, so soft, in fact, that he was asleep 
in less than five minutes after he had found 
shelter. 

Everything had contributed to make Tom 
very tired on the day when he ran away, and he 
slept on the fishing-nets quite as soundly as if 
he had been at home. He did not even hear 
Captain Harrison and his crew when they came 
on board at a very early hour in the morning. 
The bustle and confusion attendant upon get- 
ting the Swift sure under way failed to awaken 
him. When, however, the Swiftsure was on the 
open sea, tumbling about on the waves in her 
own clumsy fashion, he came to understand 
where he was, and he gained this information 
in quite a sensational manner. 

Shortly after the old schooner had left the 
dock the wind freshened until it was blowing 
quite half a gale, and Captain Harrison began 

to fear that the crazy old sails would be blown 
134 


TOM’S TROUBLES 


away. In order to prevent such a catastrophe, 
the schooner was hove to and all hands set to 
work reefing sail. 

As a matter of course the clumsy old Swift- 
sure was wallowing in the trough of the sea, 
tossing and tumbling about in a most provoking 
manner. Captain Harrison was helping his 
crew of fishermen shorten ” the foresail, 
when, just as all hands were standing amid- 
ships trying to reef without pulling the very 
reef-points out of the decayed canvas, a queer- 
looking bundle rolled from under the dory, 
capsizing one or two of the sailors as it struck 
them and then rolling into the lee scuppers, 
where it lay uttering cries of pain. 

The crew were absolutely frightened, first at 
seeing this queer-looking parcel and then at 
hearing it make a noise, while those who had 
been knocked down actually fled forward in 
alarm. Captain Harrison started aft, hut on 
looking hack he stopped short, gazed for an in- 
stant, first at the dory and then at the bundle 
in the scuppers, and said, as he gave his hat a 
forcible blow, as if to prevent it from flying ofi 
his head in surprise, I’m blowed if it ain’t 
a boy !” 

Tom looked up as if amazed that he should 
10 135 


“WANTED” 


have been mistaken for other than what he 
was, and then the rolling of the vessel threw 
him back again toward the dorj, tossing him 
from one side to the other much as if he had 
been a rubber ball. 

“ Where did you come from roared Cap- 
tain Harrison, angry now because he had shown 
what looked to be fear. 

He come out of the dory,” replied one of 
the men, for Tom was too much engaged in 
rolling about the deck to be able to make any 
reply. 

It was impossible for all hands to stand star- 
ing at Tom when the foresail needed immediate 
attention, and the sick runaway was allowed 
to roll up and down the deck at his own sweet 
will, or, rather, at the will of the wind, until 
the Swiftsure was on her course again with 
reduced canvas. Then Captain Harrison 
shouted, “ Somebody catch that boy before he 
breaks himself all to pieces and bring him aft 
here to me.” 

In a few moments, but not without consid- 
erable difficulty, the captain’s orders were 
obeyed, and Tom, looking pale and thorough- 
ly wretched, was held up in front of the Swift- 
sure s commander. 


136 



“why, you’re tom oibson!” 







TOM’S TROUBLES 


Why, you’re Tom Gibson !” exclaimed that 
gentleman, in surprise. 

Tom nodded his head; he could not trust 
himself to speak. 

How came you on board ? Been running 
away, eh?” 

Again Tom nodded his head, and Captain 
Harrison began to understand that his pas- 
senger was in no mood for conversation. 

Take him below ; I’ll dress him down after 
he gets a little better.” 

Tom was led below into a cabin that smelled 
like fish, oil, stale vegetables, and, in fact, every- 
thing that is disagreeable. And there, amid 
this combination of terrible odors, poor, sick, 
runaway Tom could hear the creaking and 
grinding of the timbers of the crazy old hulk, 
while all he could do was to moan and groan 
in unison. 


Ill 

If at any time during the twenty-four hours 
following Tom Gibson’s appearance among the 
startled crew of the Swiftsure that young gentle- 
man had been asked if the old schooner was in 
any danger, he would have answered that she 
137 


“WANTED” 


would surely sink within an hour and that all 
on board would perish with her. 

1^0 one asked Tom such a question; but he 
fully believed that it was impossible for the 
old craft to live much longer in the gale, and 
although he knew he was in even a more danger- 
ous position than any one else, owing to the fact 
that he was below, he felt so sick that he paid 
but little attention to the supposed danger. 

At the end of twenty-four hours, however, 
matters presented a decidedly different appear- 
ance. The wind having subsided, the clumsy 
old schooner no longer tumbled and tossed 
about ; the sun was shining brightly, and, what 
was of more importance to Tom, he had so 
nearly recovered from his illness as to have 
eaten a very hearty breakfast in spite of the 
mixture of bad odors that had been so dis- 
agreeable to him. 

Tom went on deck, almost enjoying the mo- 
tion of the vessel which, a few hours before, 
had been so uncomfortable, and was beginning 
to think that there was some pleasure to be had 
by running away, when Captain Harrison said, 
in anything but a pleasant tone of voice : 

Well, Tom, you’ve come on board my vessel 
and eaten my food without so much as asking 
138 


TOM'S TROUBLES 


my permission, so now s’posin’ me an’ you have 
some kind of a settlement.” 

Poor Tom ! All idea of enjoyment vanished 
at once, and again he understood that the boy 
who runs away is obliged to pay a very high 
price for what is a continual pain, rather than 
a pleasure. 

Why don’t you say something ?” demanded 
Captain Harrison. Do you think I keep this 
schooner jest to accommodate hoys who want 
to run away from home?” 

Ho, sir,” faltered Tom ; but I don’t know 
what to say, because, you see, I don’t know how 
we can have a settlement, unless you should take 
the things I brought on hoard to pay you.” 

I’ve seen what you brought with you,” 
thundered Captain Harrison, acting as if he 
was very angry, although if any one had been 
observing him closely a twinkle of mirth could 
have been seen in his eyes. ‘‘ All the traps 
you’ve got wouldn’t pay for your breakfast. 
How listen to me and take care that you don’t 
forget what I say. You’ve seen fit to come 
aboard this schooner, which is bound on a fish- 
ing cruise, consequently you’ve got to pay my 
price for your fun. You’ll have to do your 
share of the work without grumbling, and I tell 
139 


“WANTED” 


you candidly that it ’ll be more than you ever 
dreamed of, coddled by your mother as you 
have been.” 

It was pretty hard for a boy who had run 
away from home because he had been obliged 
to work too hard to be told that he would have 
so much to do that what he had been obliged to 
submit to at home was hardly more than petting. 
But he had run away, and he was obliged to 
pay the price. He did not even dare to offer 
any objections, for he understood only too well 
that he was in the captain’s power. 

Why don’t you go to work ?” shouted Cap- 
tain Harrison, after he had given Tom plenty 
of time in which to think the matter over. 

I don’t know what to do.” 

“ Go forward and you’ll soon find plenty to 
keep you out of mischief.” 

Tom did as he was directed, and he learned 
that the captain had said no more than was 
strictly true. Every one on board appeared to 
think that he had a perfect right to set a task 
for the stowaway and there was no hesitation 
about doing so. If the cook wanted wood split, 
the pots and pans scoured, vegetables pared, or 
any other disagreeable work done Tom was 
called upon, and he soon learned that it was 
140 


TOM'S TROUBLES 


dangerous to refuse. If any of the crew wanted 
an assistant at any time or on any piece of 
work, Tom was that assistant, and at the slight- 
est hesitation a blow was given to remind him 
that in no sense was he his own master. He 
was the boy-of -all-work and with no opportunity 
to play. 

Compared with his condition on the Swift- 
sure, Tom had lived a life of luxurious ease at 
home, and there was hardly a moment, when 
he was awake, during which he did not regret 
that he had ever been so foolish as to run away. 

Before the fishing-grounds were reached the 
Swift sure put into a harbor for supplies, and 
there Tom decided upon a hold step. He asked 
one of the men who had treated him with more 
consideration than the others had done to lend 
him two cents with which to buy a postage 
stamp, and on a dirty piece of paper he wrote 
the following letter to his mother: 

Dear Mama, — I was wicked to want to 
run away, and I want to come hack terribly. If 
I had any money I would try to get hack from 
here ; hut I haven’t, so I shall have to stay till 
this old vessel comes home. You’ll let me come, 
won’t you, mother? I won’t say a word^ no 
141 


“WANTED” 


matter how hard you whip me for running 
away, and I won’t ever grumble when you want 
me to do anything. My hands are all covered 
with blisters ; but they don’t begin to be as sore 
as my heart is when I have to get into these 
dirty berths at night, knowing that I can’t even 
speak to you. Don’t be angry with me any 
more, but 'please let me in when I come home. 

Yours truly, 

Thomas Gibson.” 

Captain Harrison, who had seen Tom writ- 
ing, and who suspected at once to whom the 
letter was to be sent, gave the boy an envelope 
and allowed him to go on shore in order to 
mail it. 

Tom felt better after this, even though his 
condition was in no wise improved. His mother 
would know that he was sorry for what he had 
done, and even though but a short time before 
he had looked upon her as a hard-hearted par- 
ent, it seemed as if her forgiveness was the one 
thing he wanted above all others. 

If, during the voyage to the fishing-grounds, 
Tom thought he had worked as hard as was pos- 
sible, he learned that he had been mistaken 
when the real labor of the cruise was com- 
142 


TOM’S TROUBLES 


menced. All day he was obliged to fish with 
twenty or thirty fathoms of line, to which was 
attached a heavy sinker of lead that required 
nearly all his strength to pull up, and when the 
catch had been large he was compelled to re- 
main up half the night helping the men dress 
the fish. His hands, which had been covered 
with blisters, as he wrote his mother, were cut 
and bleeding, while many times the pain was 
so great that he could not go to sleep even when 
he had the opportunity. 

In this work Tom could not say that he was 
obliged to do more than any one else ; all hands 
worked to the best of their ability, and it but 
serves to show that Tom was getting to be quite 
a sensible boy when it is said that he felt he 
was doing no more than was right under the 
circumstances. But nevertheless his heart was 
quite as sore and his homesickness as severe 
as when he wrote the letter to his mother. The 
only time when he was in the slightest degree 
contented was when he was fishing. He knew 
that the sooner the old schooner was loaded, 
the sooner would she be headed toward home, 
and he counted each fish he caught as another 
step toward his getting home to Sedgwick and 
to mother. 


143 


“WANTED” 


The time finally came, six weeks after Tom 
had started to pass the night under Bankings 
bridge, when Captain Harrison said : 

‘‘We wonT ‘ dress down ’ to-night, boys ; but 
try to carry back fresh what we catch to-day.’^ 

“ What does he mean by that Tom asked 
of one of the crew. 

“ It means that we shall start for home after 
the fish are done biting to-day.’^ 

Tom could hardly realize his good-fortune, 
and he worked in a dazed sort of way, but kept 
repeating to himself each moment : “ I’m going 
home, I’m going home. And what’s better. 
I’ll stay when I get there.” 

At an early hour that afternoon the bow of 
the old Swiftsure was turned toward Sedgwick, 
and as she rose and fell heavily on the waves, 
sending clouds of spray fore and aft, Tom could 
hardly refrain from giving vent to his joy by 
at least three hearty cheers. 

The trip home was by no means as speedy 
as Tom could have desired. It seemed to him 
as if the old vessel was sailing more slowly 
than she had ever sailed before and as if the 
winds were really trying to delay him. 

Then came the day when he could see the 
spire of the church in Sedgwick, and just at the 
144 


TOM'S TROUBLES 


time when he knew that his father and mother 
were sitting down to supper Tom leaped on 
shore. He waited for nothing, but ran home 
at full speed, and it was not until he had kissed 
his mother and father again and again and 
heard them assure him of their forgiveness that 
he could breathe freely. 

As may be expected, Tom had not been home 
more than an hour before the friends to whom 
he had confided his purpose of running away 
called to see him and to learn how much of his 
fortune he had made. 

I tell you what it is, fellows,” he said, in 
reply to their questions, I^m not as big a fool 
as I was before I ran away. I thought I was 
having a mighty hard time of it here, but I 
soon found out my mistake. All I can say is 
that I pity fellows that haven’t got any homes 
to go to when they get as homesick as I was.” 

Then you don’t think of running away 
again very soon?” suggested Dwight Holden, 
laughingly. 

Boys ” — and Tom spoke very solemnly now 
— when I was on the Swift sure I found out 
how lonesome a boy can be without his mother ; 
I never knew before. Just as long as I can 
I shall stay where I can see my mother and 
145 


“WANTED” 


speak to her; and if at any time any one of 
yon thinks that his mother isn’t the best and 
dearest friend a boy can have, just do as I did 
and it won’t take you very long to find out that 
you are mistaken.” 


THE END 




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